The concept of Open Government has emerged as a new public policy
paradigm. It is a response to the rise of a better-informed and more
demanding citizenry, which seeks to influence public service design and
provision. The practical dimension of the components of Open
Government, above all those related to citizen participation and
collaboration, make implementing this paradigm even more complex.
Based on a review of the literature, international evidence, and a specific
case of co-design and co-execution of a public service at the local level,
this paper analyzes the political challenges that the Open Government
model poses. Furthermore, it evaluates the incentives, obstacles, and
opportunities that the Open Government agenda in Latin America and the
Caribbean will have to tackle if it is to be feasible and successful.