1st Edition

Promoting Integrity Evaluating and Improving Public Institutions

Edited By Brian W. Head, A.J. Brown, Carmel Connors Copyright 2008
    358 Pages
    by Routledge

    358 Pages
    by Routledge

    What are the right institutional settings and strategies for ensuring honesty and accountability in public life? How do these settings and strategies relate to one another, and how do we know what is working and what is missing from the whole complex tapestry? Taking Australia as a case study that is relevant to all countries where public integrity is an issue, this book offers some new answers to these larger questions. The collection reviews a variety of existing efforts to understand, 'map' and evaluate the effectiveness of integrity policies and institutions, not just in the government sector but across all the major institutions of modern society. It will be of interest to those in governance, politics, law and public policy.

    Contents: Part 1 Understanding Integrity Systems: Introduction: integrity systems and democratic accountability, A.J. Brown, Brian W. Head and Carmel Connors; National integrity systems: the key to building sustainable, just and honest government, Jeremy Pope; What is a national integrity system? From temple blueprint to hip-pocket guide, A.J. Brown. Part 2 Integrity System Assessment in Action: Using national integrity systems to assess corruption: an international perspective, Alan Doig and Stephanie McIvor; Evaluating international action against corruption in the Pacific islands, Peter Larmour; Corporate business systems for integrity: a case study, Joel Lucas and David Kimber; Is there a New South Wales public integrity system? A preliminary assessment, Rodney Smith; A federal integrity system at the crossroads: Australia, Peter Roberts; When integrity breaks down: the Australian Wheat Board example, Stephen Bartos; Towards a federal integrity commission: the challenge of institutional capacity-building in Australia, A.J. Brown. Part 3 A Best Way to Assess Integrity Systems?: Police oversight agencies: measuring effectiveness, Colleen Lewis and Tim Prenzler; Integrity assessment tools: a preliminary comparison, Arthur Shacklock, Carmel Connors and Angela Gorta; Assessment strategies and practices for integrity and anti-corruption measures: a comparative overview, Stuart C. Gilman and Jeffrey Stout; Consequences, capacity, and coherence: an overall approach to integrity system assessment, A.J. Brown and Brian W. Head; Promoting integrity: trends and prospects, Brian W. Head; Appendix; Index.

    Biography

    Professor Brian W. Head is Research Professor, Institute for Social Science Research, University of Queensland, Australia. Dr A.J.Brown is a Senior Lecturer in Law at Griffith University and is currently on secondment to the Australian National University. Carmel Connors is a Senior Research Assistant and Publications Manager with the Key Centre for Ethics, Law, Justice and Governance, Griffith University.

    'At last ... an up-to-date, well-documented book written by leading experts on integrity systems and how to achieve them. Drawing mainly on Australian experience, this book elucidates knowledge and practical solutions for any country seeking to combat corruption in public life. This masterful book is a priority for governments seeking to ensure that their system of integrity is workable. Answers to key questions concerning how to institutionalize integrity and the role of ethics are provided. Essential reading also for public policy, law, and other students/faculty.' Rosamund Thomas, Centre for Business and Public Sector Ethics, UK 'This is as good as it gets for those searching for international lessons on integrity in public decision-making. The contributors know what readers need to know and they deliver. Should be compulsory reading for all involved in managing public integrity.' John Uhr, The Australian National University, Australia '...has real strength in providing clear, well-developed case studies and a very useful series of debates on the measurement of accountability and integrity. Although these examples may come from the other side of the world they undoubtedly provide food for thought for students and researchers of the UK local government standards framework.' Local Government Studies 'While this book will be relevant to practitioners and specialist academics, it will also be of interest to a more general audience with a desire to understand the complexities and systematic difficulties in ensuring a coherent system of integrity and accountability in a twenty-first century federal democracy. It is a thought-provoking and interesting collection, rich in detail and insights.' Australian Journal of Political Science