ABSTRACT
In concept, a ‘national integrity system’ is a relatively simple notion. As suggested in chapter 1, ‘integrity’ describes the desirable situation when powerful individuals and institutions act in an upright and reliable manner in our society, true to the values, purposes and duties for which they have been entrusted with that power. Accordingly a national integrity ‘system’ means the methods used by a given society – institutions, laws, practices and attitudes – to increase the chances of this outcome by working to promote and pursue integrity in daily public life. The purpose of describing this system is also fairly simple: in order to improve it, by guring out what developments in institutions, practices, management and education might enhance our collective assurance that the powers we entrust to elected and appointed ofcials are exercised in accordance with recognized public purposes and values.
