Risks of corruption and the development of self-control of public officials

Abstract

Ethics, or the ethical self-control of public officials, is considered to be one of the principal factors on which the proper use of administrative discretion depends. Weak personal ethics may result in corrupt behaviour, the misuse of office for private purposes. The concept of ethical self-control, or ethos, can be used to explain the differences in levels of corruption in various countries. Where the civilising process has led to development of stronger ethical self-control, less corruption can be expected. Differences in the civilising processes and problems of corruption and ethics in Denmark, Finland and Latvia are considered in this article.