The author introduces the term «legibility of the state» in order to denote clearness, transparency of the state and of the bureaucratic procedures for citizens. «Legibility» of the actions of the state is one of the necessary preliminary conditions enabling citizens to effectively appraise the process of governing and of realization of the public policy. In his article, Lucio Picci demonstrates in what way clearness, or «legibility» of the processes makes possible a system of government and of policy, based on reputation, and, besides, increases the state- and corporate structures’ accountability to the citizens, as well as weighs with the motivation of their conduct.