The quality of being obscure, not transparent, or difficult to understand

Latin opacitas, from opacus (shaded, dark)

Obscurity Murkiness Non-transparency Ambiguity
Transparency Clarity Openness
"The opacity of the government's decision-making process undermines democratic accountability."

Frequently used in editorials on governance, RTI, electoral funding, and judicial appointments. Opposite of transparency — a key governance ideal.

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