Despite these reservations, the pace and pressures for more transparency are increasing. If widely adopted as policy, transparency measures can reduce further the chances of destabilizing military surprises. In addition, greater transparency can lead to improved coordination of military programs to achieve mutual security at lower costs. Global Information Trends Technological advances, including commercial satellite imagery, the internet, facsimile, and other telecommunications devices make increased information more widely available. Also, economic and political trends are creating a more open environment.
Businesses increasingly demand information to compete effectively in the international arena.
And governments are responding by improving widespread access to accurate information to stimulate competition. For many governments, this represents an important shift from their traditional role of controlling information closely. South Korea and Taiwan are examples of where the political and economic environment have become more open for the flow of information. China, however, recently asserted more control over business and financial information. Military Transparency Military transparency is the process of providing information to enhance mutual security by creating a more predictable environment.