Extremism in the Search for Virtue: Why Zero Gift Policies Spawn Unintended Consequences

Abstract

Gift policies are an essential element of ethics regulations in government because they address very real concerns about private gain from public office. But experience has shown that zero gift policies—according to which a public official may receive absolutely nothing of value from vendors, clients, or the general public—can create problems by defining common social practices as ethics violations. A de minimus policy is preferable because such a policy allows for token gifts that are a common part of social relations.