ABSTRACT

This chapter is a broad theoretical exposé of the relevant concepts to be dealt with under this topic, based on a wide-ranging literature study: the essence of democratic governance, the intrinsic nature or quality of integrity and ethical behavior, the need for transparency and accountability in politics and public service, and the enormous challenges posed by corruption in public life. Clearly, the world and Africa are at a crossroads: politics and public service can no longer reject ethical challenges, however it may handle them. What pass for integrity, ethics, transparency, and accountability in politics and public life today are much diminished. There is less expectation of honest, forthright, morally committed behavior, and so everyone takes less notice when these virtues are absent. One is used to spin, to handlers (spokespersons), to glib phrases and euphemisms, to obfuscation and concealment as part of politics and in public service – and the likely consequences for democratic society and governance are not encouraging.