NCJ Number
64242
Journal
Political Quarterly Volume: 9 Dated: (JANUARY 1936) Pages: 31-46
Date Published
1936
Length
16 pages
Annotation
THIS ESSAY CONCLUDES THAT ALTHOUGH MOST BRITISH PUBLIC SERVICES ARE FREE FROM CORRUPTION, POSSIBILITES FOR CORRUPTION EXIST, ESPECIALLY IN CERTAIN NEW GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS.
Abstract
GREAT BRITAIN'S PUBLIC SERVICE IS FREER FROM CORRUPTION, NEPOTISM, FAVORITISM, AND PETTY TYRANNY THAN ARE THOSE OF MOST OTHER COUNTRIES. CENTRAL GOVERNMENT SERVICES ARE HONEST AND INCORRUPTIBLE MAINLY BECAUSE OF THE LONGSTANDING TRADITION OF HONEST GOVERNMENT, RESULTING FROM POLITICAL ACTIONS BEGINNING IN 1780. NINETEENTH CENTURY REFORMS PRODUCED BY 1866 A SYSTEM WHICH WAS SUBSTANTIALLY FREE FROM TRADE STRONGLY INFLUENCED THESE REFORMS' SUCCESS. KEY RULES PREVENTING CORRUPTION INCLUDE THE EXAMINATION SYSTEM FOR CIVIL SERVICE APPOINTMENTS, STRICT RULES ABOUT GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS, AND RULES PREVENTING GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS FROM ACCEPTING BUSINESS APPOINTMENTS WITHIN A CERTAIN PERIOD AFTER THEIR RETIREMENT FROM GOVERNMENT. MORE IMPORTANT THAN THESE RULES IS THE TRADITION OF INTEGRITY. LOCAL GOVERNMENT HAS MORE SOURCES OF CORRUPTION, ALTHOUGH EMERGENCE OF A PROFESSIONAL TRADITION HAS ENDED MOST ABUSES OF APPOINTMENTS. THE MAIN DANGER IS THE MEMBERSHIP ON PUBLIC HEALTH AND TOWN PLANNING COMMITTEES OF LOCAL BUSINESSMEN WITH FINANCIAL INTERESTS IN THE ISSUES INVOLVED. EFFECTIVE PARTY ORGANIZATION AND STRONG OPPOSITION PARTIES ARE IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS AGAINST THIS TYPE OF CORRUPTION, BUT ARE EASIER TO ACHIEVE WITH THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT THAN WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENT. THE GREATEST POTENTIAL DANGER TO HONEST GOVERNMENT LIES IN THE NUMEROUS INDEPENDENT STATUTORY BODIES BEING CREATED. EXAMPLES ARE THE BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION, THE SUGAR COMMISSION, AND THE SPINDLES BOARD. THESE LIE OUTSIDE THE SYSTEM OF DEMOCRATIC CONTROLS AND SHOULD BE COORDINATED WITHIN THE GENERAL SYSTEM OF ADMINISTRATION SO THAT THEY WILL SHARE BOTH THE CIVIL SERVICE TRADITION AND THE DEMOCRATIC CONTROL THAT MAINTAINS IT. (CFW)