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publicness

publicness

1 5.5
The state of being open and easy for everyone to see or use, often run by government
  • noun
  • /ˈpʌblɪknəs/
translation icon : publicidad
  • The publicness of the library means that anyone can come in and borrow books for free.
  • the publicness of theology
  • the publicness of public life

Examples

  • Public schools are not merely schools for the public, but schools of publicness; institutions where we learn what it means to be a public and start down the road toward common national and civic identity.

    Academic text (1998)
  • Semi-public associations or associations where membership has restrictions do not meet the condition of publicness required for deliberative politics, equal representation, and participation.

    Academic text (1995)
  • Publicness, as defined by Samuelson, is one justification for both stockpiling and import tariffs.

    Academic text (1992)
  • Where clientelism establishes inequalities among actors, mediation through democratic associations promotes horizontal relationships, equivalence of demands, and a sense of publicness.

    Academic text (2016)
  • The publicness of the park allows everyone to enjoy its beautiful landscapes.

  • In a democracy, the publicness of government actions ensures transparency and accountability.

Synonyms

publicity
vspublicness
88 3.4

Being open so the public can see or attend

includes that access but also ownership or management by community or government
openness
vspublicness
5 2.9

A wide area that allows a clear view and easy movement

focuses on access for everyone and communal ownership, not physical unobstruction

Antonyms

Being alone and not seen by other people

How Public

transparency
146 3.7
accessibility
22 3.4
openness
5 2.9
publicness
1 5.5
privacy
756 3.7
secrecy
165 4.4

Surface Forms

publicness singular
publicnesses plural

Morphology

publicness = public (transparent) = public + ness

The transformation from 'public' to 'publicness' is straightforward, indicating a state or quality.

Etymology

Publicness comes from public, which comes from the old Latin word populus meaning 'people', so it began as something 'of the people'. The ending -ness turns that idea into a 'state' or 'quality', so publicness means being open or available to everyone.