Political Competition and Government Corruption: A Response to Thayer

Abstract

Something in the very idea of ethics may suggest the pursuit of impracticable standards. A case in point is a recent argument about corruption in government that develops into a critique of essential institutions and practices of liberal democracy, especially electoral competition. I argue that competitive elections, and the normal practices of “politics,” serve important goals and deserve a defense even if we must concede they do not suppress all bad behavior. The pursuit of higher ethical standards in government must be guided by an awareness of the necessary institutions of constitutional democracy. It is more plausible to expect to set boundaries to corruption than to expect it can be eliminated entirely.