Newell, JL 2008, 'Ethical conduct and perceptions of public probity in Britain: the story so far' , Perspectives on European Politics and Society, 9 (1) , pp. 39-52.

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Abstract

This paper takes its point of departure from the importance for stable democracy of citizens' confidence in the probity of public office holders and from the growing public concerns in this area since the early 1990s. Against this background, the paper seeks to offer, for the British case, an ‘inventory’ of (a) what is currently known about citizens' perceptions and attitudes in this area and (b) the legislative responses which, since the early 1990s, have responded to public concerns. Starting with a series of reflections on the possible causes of growing public anxieties, the paper explores what we know about how these anxieties have been articulated, and then suggests some possible ways in which, paradoxically, attempts to address the anxieties may actually have served to enhance them.

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