Book Review - Public Integrity

With public officials, both elected and appointed, increasingly appearing in the news in connection with scandals, many Americans are disenchanted with the government.

Public Integrity
J. Patrick Dobel
JF 1525 .E8 D63 1999

Dobel, a professor of public affairs, examines the complex relationship between ethics and political life. He examines the linkages between these often competing forces both theoretically and practically, studying the level of the individual, the office, and the political system as a whole. Chapters look at temptations of power, realities of political life, and the erosion of character, particularly among career public officials. He also examines times of transitions, focusing on getting into office and resigning. He synthesizes his findings into conclusions that bring out commonalities, highlight the role of private life apart from that in the public eye, and suggests a wise path that politicians may follow to balance the competing forces.