Dividing To Conquer: Using The Separation Of Powers To Structure Institutional Inter-relations

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We present a conceptual and terminological system-what we term the 'Comprehensive Integrity Framework'-capable of applying to both personal and institutional integrity, and to different levels of institutions (including sub-institutions and institutional complexes). We distinguish between three sorts of integrity: consistency-integrity (whether the agent's acts accord with her claimed values); coherence-integrity (whether the agent's character and internal constitution accord with her claimed values), and; context-integrity (whether the agent's environment facilitates her living up to her claimed values). We then employ this conceptual system to explore similarities, differences and overlaps between personal and institutional integrity, drawing in particular on moral philosophic work on personal integrity (on the one hand) and 'integrity systems' and public administration approaches to institutional integrity (on the other).

Section: Context-integrity For Institutionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Conceptualizing Personal and Institutional Integrity: The Comprehensive Integrity Framework

Breakey¹,

Cadman²,

Sampford³

2015

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“…Rather than focusing on issues of distributive justice, political theorists of the time directed their energies towards designing a system to avoid rapacious theft (as well as the religious violence and authoritarianism). See (Breakey, 2014a;Vile, 1998) 16 This is a contested question. Since Locke considered need-based rights as well as freedom-based rights (Waldron, 2005), his natural rights might share much in common with the Declaration's entitlements.…”

Section: Conclusion: a Deep Conceptual Linkmentioning

confidence: 99%

Arbitrary Power, Arbitrary Interference and the Abuse of Power: Corruption, Natural Rights and Human Rights

Breakey¹

2017

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What is the relationship between human rights and corruption? This question can take different forms, including moral, legal, socio-political and economic variants. This paper focuses on two key moral questions, asking whether corruption can violate or impact on people's natural rights (on the one hand) or human rights (on the other). In answer, I aim to establish a strong conceptual link between: (a) corruption's 'abuse of entrusted power'; (b) the 'arbitrary power' targeted by natural rights theorists like John Locke and the broader republican tradition; and, (c) the 'arbitrary interference' with protected freedoms, prohibited by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. I argue that the deep thematic links between systemic corruption and violations of human rights are stronger than have hitherto been recognized. In the twenty-first century, corruption should be recognized as a 'standard threat' (in Shue's sense) to human flourishing and protected freedoms, vindicating the human right to freedom from systemic corruption.

“…One of the key reasons for separating governmental powers between legislative, judicial and executive institutions (including police) is to make political persecution more difficult (Breakey, 2014). The separation requires coordination across different institutions and groups in order for political repression to occur-for example, a ruling faction in government arresting opposition figures.…”

Section: Problems Impel Institutionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Wired to Fail: Virtue and Dysfunction in Baltimore’s Narrative

Breakey¹

2014

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How can public institutions achieve their goals and best nurture virtue in their members? In this article, I seek answers to these questions in a perhaps unlikely place: the television series The Wire. Known for its unflinching realism, the crime drama narrates the intertwined lives of police, criminals, politicians, teachers and journalists in drug-plagued urban Baltimore. Yet even in the thick and quick of institutional dysfunction the drama portrays, human virtue springs forth and institutions (despite themselves) sometimes perform their roles. I begin this exploration of The Wire by drawing on Montesquieu and other political theorists to evaluate the problems facing state institutions-problems of diversity and principle as much as selfishness and power-mongering. I then turn to the prospects for virtue within modern institutions, developing and applying the system of Alasdair MacIntyre and paying particular attention to the role of narrative in cementing and integrating virtue.