I'm not sure that transparency can trump centralized power. When you get enough centralized power, you get to do what you want, whatever others think.
Quick google search: http://info-a.wdfiles.com/local--files/resursi/Catharina%20L...
"reforms focusing on increasing transparency should be accompanied by measures for strengthening citizens’ capacity to act upon the available information if we are to see positive effects on corruption. "
