The Integrity Paradox

Abstract

Public integrity is a good thing, because it restores citizens' trust in government. This, in turn, is a good thing, because it promotes good government. Notwithstanding its truth, this argument creates a paradox for public officials who use it to justify integrity. On the one hand, a government's sincere commitment to integrity entails an obligation to reveal its own violations of integrity, which is not likely to increase trust. On the other hand, such revelations nonetheless must be made, for not to do so would constitute a violation of the commitment to integrity. The paradox arises from a failure to appreciate the nature of the concept of integrity.

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