James D'Angelo, founder of the Congressional Research Institute, speaking at the University of New Orleans on in September 2018. Credit: Courtesy Photo

In a provocative essay in the latest issue of Foreign Affairs magazine, author James D’Angelo, founder of the Congressional Research Institute, argues that more transparency in the legislative process leads to more corruption. 

At the heart of D’Angelo’s seemingly counterintuitive argument is the notion that recording and making public every procedural vote lawmakers take empowers special interest groups and lobbyists at the expense of the public interest. 

Hear D’Angelo’s case for less transparency.

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John Adams began his professional career in 2001 in Idaho Falls, ID writing and editing for a variety of trade magazines. He covered topics ranging from potato and sugar beet farming to skate park and playground construction and maintenance. Adams started his newspaper career as the city government reporter for the Daily Jefferson County Union in Fort Atkinson, WI where he covered the City Hall, police, fire and local courthouse beats. In 2005 he joined the staff of the Missoula Independent in Missoula, MT where he worked as a staff reporter covering a wide range of issues including the environment,...