Surviving in an age of transparency: Emancipatory transparency‐making in food governance in Italy

The concept of transparency is now an unescapable reference in public, professional, and private life. As transparency-making has recently transmuted from a progressive instrument to counter corruption into new universal ideological formation, it time problematize the its uses. In this article, I consider not as moral principle or static ideology but terrain political struggle over meaning practices. An emerging literature anthropology highlights how become form governance that leads sense deprofessionalization working Based on ethnographic research with activist networks small-scale farmers Italy, investigate experiments horizontal inclusive forms alternative food processing. three interrelated emblematic frictions within these experiments: informal versus formal, top-down horizontal, not-for-profit commercial. While experimental allow reappropriate autonomy professionalism, indicate conventional are diametrically opposed. Frictions emancipatory repoliticize decision-making processes ways unknown contemporary concepts transparency. Ultimately, calls for engagement open dialogical processes. El concepto de transparencia es ahora una referencia ineludible en la vida pública, profesional y privada. En medida que hacer-transparencia recientemente ha trasmutado un instrumento progresivo contracorrupción nueva formación ideológica universal, tiempo problematizar el sus usos. este artículo, considero no como principio o ideología estática sino terreno lucha política sobre su significado prácticas. Una literatura emergente antropología enfatiza cómo llegado ser forma gobernanza lleva sentido desprofesionalización trabajo. Basado investigación etnográfica con redes activistas agricultores pequeña escala Italia, investigo experimentos formas horizontales e inclusivas alternativa procesamiento alimentos. Considero tres fricciones emblemáticas interrelacionadas dentro estos experimentos: arriba-hacia-abajo sin-fines-de-lucro comercial. Mientras estas experimentales permiten pequeños reapropiar autonomía profesionalismo, las indican convencional son diametralmente opuestas. Las hacer emancipatoria repolitizan los procesos tomar decisiones desconocidas conceptos contemporáneos transparencia. Finalmente, llama por involucramiento dialògicos abiertos. [culturas auditoría, alimentos, transparencia, activismo, Italia] Il concetto di trasparenza costituisce ormai riferimento imprescindibile nella vita pubblica, professionale privata. Problematizzarlo è diventato necessario perché essi sono stati naturalizzati sulla base nuova formazione ideologica che li hanno trasformati principi universali. questo articolo considererò non come morale un'ideologia statica, ma lotta politica riguarda il suo significato le sue pratiche lo era stato significati progressisti alla fine dell’800 per combattere corruzione nepotismo. Al contrario, letteratura antropologia evidenzia sia diventata innesca processo deprofessionalizzazione lavorativa. Sulla ricerche etnografiche reti attivisti piccoli agricoltori indagherò sperimentali ispirate forme orizzontali trasformazione degli alimenti. Considererò tre attriti emblematici all'interno queste pratiche: informale formale, orizzontale profit commerciale. Mentre consentono ai riappropriarsi della loro autonomia professionalità, frizioni indicano gli ripoliticizzano i processi decisionali. conclusione, “trasparenza emancipativa” implicano impegno dialogici aperti. [culture dell'audit, governance, trasparenza, attivismo, Almost everyone affected by recent rise governing principle. From we use social media way walk through glassy entrance hall, encounter repercussions public Originating world bookkeeping, been wellspring politics, challenging nepotism decades. Legendary US judge Louis Brandeis (1914) proclaimed “sunlight said be best disinfectants,” opening door bureaucratic ideal practice evidence provision. After Cold War, Gianni Vattimo (1992) imagined “transparent society” embodying promises equity, justice, meritocracy. Although policymakers still concur more information efficiency improves trust, really so simple? advances, do shadows. We only beginning understand seemingly rational procedures can undermine democracy, autonomy, interpersonal trust. Increasingly, those who cherish informality surviving age requires significant imagination. his later publications, Vattimo's optimism turned fears about “surveillance capitalism” “massive control” life (Vattimo, 2021; Zabala, 2021). One particular expression tendency how, throughout rural areas advanced economies, began spend filling out spreadsheets checkboxes, creating “linguistic labor” sustains neoliberal capitalist production (Cavanaugh, 2016). This also direct result food-safety requirements linked indirectly financialization global system (Bjorkhaug, Magnan, Lawrence, 2018). For instance, typically Excel than their land. Different movements worldwide, Via Campesina Slow Food, have begun contest openly traceability, criticizing rigid standards, which often difficult meet (e.g., Loconto Hatanaka, 2018; Van der Ploeg, 2020). other words, standardization processing name shapes “professional visions” coding, highlighting, material representations (Goodwin, 1994) necessarily correspond everyday experiences. build writing “audit cultures” analyze used reinvent governance. activists promote certifications conducted jointly consumers producers. Among them, Italian national movement “Genuino Clandestino” (Genuinely Clandestine)1 advocates importance reappropriating control processing, even if means breaking legal requirements. Turning upside-down misunderstood Global South, standards less regulated. many North countries, contrast, remains awkward imagine extent act legally gray areas. in-depth analysis transparency-making, shed light types dynamics: article introduces idea professionalism risks being lost transparency-making. Since 2014, different long-term projects,2 shared lifepaths local across green hills rough mountain valleys central Italy. Combining extensive fieldwork my activity hobbyist beekeeper, focused producers decide quality standards. Following open-ended connections around rather studying specific groups (cf. Koensler, 2015), interviewed activists, consumers, governmental officials, farmers. took part 20 “participatory visits” guarantees follow-up conversations farms, laboratories, assemblies, very some remotest With help assistant visual anthropology, produced two documentaries screened series international events (Koensler, 2016, Thus, ethnography movement, locality, group friction shifting assemblies theme traversed several tensions. These tensions understood, following Anna L. Tsing (2005, 6), “zones frictions”: “as metaphorical image, reminds us heterogeneous unequal encounters lead arrangements culture power.” people at center far homogenous group, experiences me trying escape paradox: one side, rapid increase administrative burdens due tighter safety while other, shrinking margins. Some reinvented themselves after decades city life, others grew up stables fields. example, Safa moved isolated valley Umbria's mountains software engineer Israel, United States, northern Europe. Now, she makes marmalades mixed pickles. She sells her products solidarity purchasing without caring too much Others caught swirl “long” 1960s, such Fabrizio, called “Bio,” countryside he understood revolution would soon materialize. When left job part-time worker, had accumulated decade experience agitation. He calmly rolls cigarette when sits down, observing listening surroundings, unique ironic distant smile, reminiscent thinker past century. Maybe legacy intense dialectical debates thought moments. comrades, established collectives most stunning living agricultural cooperative founded milking cows selling cheese. distance, might viewed “outsiders” eccentric individualists. However, choices lifestyles represent individual retreat. Many met active resistance against Take, mission statement association call here “From Ground.” It reads: “‘From Ground’ experimentation model economy involves producers, artisans order subvert huge chains distribution, diminish distance valorize social, emotional taste-related relations.”3 At meetings festivals, witnessed contagious feeling something big was happening. enthusiasm dream overthrow currently produce consume food. were moments rising consciousness, what Hannah Arendt (1951) described “right rights.” participated overcrowded until late night profound prospect resisting agribusiness self-governing principles. July 2017, standing courtyard Europe's largest squats. People could find any place stand follow heated discussion principles guarantees. They windowsills tables. A presented assembly Genuino Clandestino list regulate democratic way. Should there valid every group? free develop own rules principles? How horizontality safeguarded? Long midnight, compromise found. allowed each set losing sight wider scene. exciting atmosphere hope, opportunity. great change come. came together campfires, large dancing barefoot grass during society in-the-making air. moments, felt new. will alliances almost all parts world, joined caravan convoys Zapatistas (Figure 1) Brazilian Movimento dos Trabalhadores Sem Terra. But before diving closer variegated let first step back contextualize Plato's cave allegory telescope microscope, trope “seeing” “knowing” uncontested cornerstone history modernity. story faith penetrating, straight view unintended consequences. If struggle, catalyst transformation made four partly overlapping key reach beyond certification invest aspects our lives. First, since World War II, particularly American European considered efficient remedy corruption, based widely held belief exposing powerful institutions scrutiny strengthen character (Holzner Holzner, 2006; Pozen, “hubris complete state diminished (Hetherington, 2011, shifted toward targeted approaches. Second, 1980s, techniques became underpin trustworthiness finance market (Sauder Espeland, 2009). moment costly expert teams rating agencies, Moody's Standard & Poor's, “privatized” high (Sinclair, 2001). Social transformations connected extreme concentration economic power unrestrained regulation (Crouch, 2015; Shore Wright, 2015). Third, same time, developed far-reaching institutional associated “new management” (Garsten De Montoya, 2008) “targeted transparency” sectors (Fund, Graham, Weil, 2007). Outside finance, audits virtually 1990s. then, solution perceived crisis ethics responsibility, bringing endless proliferation indicators, rankings, well mass surveillance spaces.4 regime attempted hide conflictual process regarding criteria labels, remain highly debated issue lobbying forums feel they little voice (Müller, 2019). Fourth, recently, regimes sustained “moral imperative both (Valdovinos, Vattimo, 2021), legitimizing range interconnected inscribed Confessional television, influence, algorithmic mediation just expressions imperative. growing aesthetic dimension hypervisibility inscribes logic frictionless fluidity further guaranteeing metastability system. observed disclosed; delivered actors unidirectional process. fourth seems unlock spaces reciprocity between Tyranny Transparency, Marilyn Strathern (2000b, 309), pioneer investigation contradictory effects remarks, “There nothing innocent making invisible visible.” Though, depends things visible purpose. Standing dung goat stable atop 2015, noticed urgency unravel link Sara, devoted keeper 20s, received phone call. festival committee nearby village decided buy meat annual traditional festival. Sara enraged. priced goats 70 euros each,, according regional traceability regulations, required hire special transporter additional 300 euros. Therefore, organizers opted frozen supermarket. Sara's anger unique. Over decade, regulations among Europe changed marketed (Beriss, 2019; Karrebæk, Riley, Cavanaugh, “Paperwork” integral agriculture. obligatory controlled health authorities (Azienda sanitaria locale, ASL). include building materials employed laboratories. regions, cheese laboratory must access bathroom, historical buildings, changes impossible make. Max,5 professional beekeeper friend, solved problem putting clean, blue-colored mobile containers garden, covering beautiful antique stone house. frequent problems water because grid. addition, self-regulatory mechanisms hazard critical points (HACCP) involve constant monitoring documentation stage. argue, require considerable investments smallholders cannot always cover (Cabras, 2013). heritage, organic labels IGP DOC) respected offer markets. Though well-intended, shift manage quasi-governmental agencies. clearly echoes assumption fear cost-benefit calculations main drivers human agency, undermining relationships trust responsibility. “the lie metrics count everything,” including quality.6 Voices authoritative figures, Narotzky (2016), Bernstein Edelman (2017), Harper Siniscalchi (2019), McMichael (2006), Ploeg (2020), extensively interpret destructive consequences financial deregulation pervasiveness globalized, standardized under umbrella ideology. phenomenon affects professions organizations nurses academics postal workers carpenters. strands policy understanding Correcting normative approach mainstream science policymakers, analyzes policies objectify contingent analyses draw UK higher education similar contexts (Herzfeld, 2023; Merry, 2011; Shore, Però, Strathern, 2000a). Similar happens certifications, Barnett Camfield (2016) highlight audit evaluation measures effective, believe them. contend emphasis “post-political” depoliticization underlying choices, present numeric terms 1992; Garsten Jacobsson, objective may production, favoring industrial artisanal products. mostly academia, authors Tate Hetherington (2011, 2020), Ballestero (2012, 2018) provided rich empirical contradictions 155) considers “fetish sort opacity obscures,” analyzing reappropriated landless advance rights (189). There relevant here. case formations power, “naturalizes” classifications categories, favor businesses. undermines meaningful relationship oneself (Jaeggi, 2014). Subtle seductive, often-destructive interactions (Vidaillet, 2013; Zinn, 2011). why professionals exposed external forces seem lose production. body explains discontent especially studies farming study infancy. Moreover, studied level passive evasion. follows, propose direction. discuss subverted creative adds layer unilinear, imposed agents ruins begin terms. Asserting pushed clandestinity burden continue margins outside appear official statistics; drive old rusty vans lucid tractors. Their homes scattered scenic countryside. markets, supply chains. occupied former Mondeggi, southeast Florence, flourishing events. During fieldwork, individuals engaged innovation. claim substantial difference well-known activism, “Slow Food” “solidarity groups.”7 particular, appeal middle-class values sensible consumerism attempt premises politics initiatives differ “informal” agriculture areas, encountered well-networked politically conscious initiatives.8 vignettes arise nonconventional Countering risk idealization, stories focus lines faces threats reproducing practices imply levels depoliticization. Each vignette presents friction, course, exhaustive, messiness presented. related polarity codification rules. Can threat institutionalization jeopardize basic democracy? question vignette. Lazio that, step-by-step, started experiment peer-to-peer Beginning simple practices, few years ended complex regulations. group's densely populated Rome attractive commercial entrepreneurs. constantly pressured select members carefully, did keep collaborations. beginning, displayed “self-certification” markets festivals 2). Folders stands contained pictures farms farmers’ families fellow workers. According coordinator, aim contrast “anonymity chain” thus reestablish personal bonds resonated cherished inclusiveness anarchist counterculture, attached, opposed vertical structures (Boni, arose. occasionally criticized exaggerated false claims self-certifications, tension resolved. argued important “community spirit” precise information. unsatisfied solution. early 2000s, raised, although expressed visits invasive. “surveillance.” unable participate, discussed visits. Finally, visitor should write short report. joyful display hospitality friendship, reports testimony passion. participant wrote, stall laboratory, well-organized, clean. saw space dedicated aging You eat explained gastronomic experience, your stomach. Thank you, guys, wonderful commitment you day. 4:30 p.m.” Another stated, “Almost delightful, lunch offered good spirit, possible enjoyable conviviality, mutual knowledge Networks built foremost … encounters.” Rather severe checks, benevolent descriptions passion producer farmer beauty location. reciprocal led excitement renewed community spirit; deep involvement seemed