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The Pursuit of Absolute Integrity: How Corruption Control Makes Government Ineffective
In this comprehensive and controversial case study of anticorruption efforts, Frank Anechiarico and James B. Jacobs show how the proliferating regulations and oversight mechanisms designed to prevent or root out corruption seriously undermine our ability to govern. By constraining decision makers' discretion, shaping priorities, and causing delays, corruption control—no less than corruption itself—has contributed to the contemporary crisis in public administration.
"Anechiarico and Jacobs . . . have pushed aside the claims and posturing by officials and reformers and revealed a critical need to reevaluate just what we have and are doing to public servants, and to the public, in the name of anti-corruption."— Citylaw
"A timely and very useful addition to the new debate over corruption and reform."—Michael Johnston, American Political Science Review
"Anechiarico and Jacobs . . . have pushed aside the claims and posturing by officials and reformers and revealed a critical need to reevaluate just what we have and are doing to public servants, and to the public, in the name of anti-corruption."— Citylaw
"A timely and very useful addition to the new debate over corruption and reform."—Michael Johnston, American Political Science Review
292 pages, Paperback
First published December 15, 1996
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
June 5, 2018
It is difficult to honestly rate this book.
On aspects of content, questions posed and answered, the data presented, the fairness and impartiality of analysis, and overall philosophical questioning on the idea of “integrity” are spot on and deserve a 5 star.
The plain language, and heavy academic bearing of the book drops down the rating. It’s a great book but it’s task to read. The authors failed in making the book an easy and approachable conduit of information. Hence, my 3 star reflect a dissatisfaction from the authors and their stylistic performance.
I do still strongly recommend this book to all the do-gooders and saviors of the world, which are plenty in my generation of millennials, my quarters of ivy leagues, and my old profession of development.
Everyone wants to save or change the world. Everyone seems themselves to be a gold standard of morality, integrity, and qualifications. Everyone considers them - the capitalist, the current politics, the powerful people, the rich people etc. to be the evil. Young people like to hate the “system” and deem it responsible for everything.
But, taking a step back and wondering how would we perform, what is our integrity, and what is the basis and cost of our accusations.
The pursuit of absolute integrity brings forth the issue of corruption, and describes how non-corrupt, non-evil, and non-malign, often corruption is.
In India, specially, where corruption has been a misguided obsession of both elites and populist, this book is highly relevant and informative.
Highly recommended though highly tiring read.
On aspects of content, questions posed and answered, the data presented, the fairness and impartiality of analysis, and overall philosophical questioning on the idea of “integrity” are spot on and deserve a 5 star.
The plain language, and heavy academic bearing of the book drops down the rating. It’s a great book but it’s task to read. The authors failed in making the book an easy and approachable conduit of information. Hence, my 3 star reflect a dissatisfaction from the authors and their stylistic performance.
I do still strongly recommend this book to all the do-gooders and saviors of the world, which are plenty in my generation of millennials, my quarters of ivy leagues, and my old profession of development.
Everyone wants to save or change the world. Everyone seems themselves to be a gold standard of morality, integrity, and qualifications. Everyone considers them - the capitalist, the current politics, the powerful people, the rich people etc. to be the evil. Young people like to hate the “system” and deem it responsible for everything.
But, taking a step back and wondering how would we perform, what is our integrity, and what is the basis and cost of our accusations.
The pursuit of absolute integrity brings forth the issue of corruption, and describes how non-corrupt, non-evil, and non-malign, often corruption is.
In India, specially, where corruption has been a misguided obsession of both elites and populist, this book is highly relevant and informative.
Highly recommended though highly tiring read.
February 13, 2018
Anechiarico does a good job discussing the trade-offs that are often overlooked in reducing corruption. Using prominent examples from New York City, he discusses the ways in which corruption control has increased and some of the costs it bears on efficiency. Overall, a solid book for a public policy class.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews