POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC TRANSPARENCY OF LOCAL GOVERMENTS. THE WEBSITES OF THE TOWN COUNCILS OF THE MOST POPULATED CITIES OF MADRID

Abstract

This article analyzes the situation of Spanish political transparency through a case study. Specifically, we collect the data of an investigation carried out on the political transparency existing, through its web pages, in the most populated municipalities of the Autonomous Community of Madrid (Spain). From a sample of 34 municipalities, the results regarding the transparency of the Corporations are presented: Who are the political representatives? How do they manage collective resources? How are the economic resources managed: budgets, salaries, contracts, subsidies ...? The methodology is based on content analysis to respond to a total of 38 indicators. The results are relevant for viewing those indicators that are most frequently fulfilled in relation to the total; and in turn, a contrast of the data is made by strata according to population. The conclusions lead us to believe that transparency is becoming more and more frequent in Spain, especially since the moment when legislation was begun on this reality, although there are still aspects that can be improved.