We tend to assume that ethics and anti-corruption
compliance are complementary ingredients in the recipe for good
governance. Let us consider whether, in some situations,
anti-corruption compliance might violate ethics that are ordinarily
seen as virtues. Indeed, whether it might already be harming not
only good governance, but also good government.
In particular, we will discuss why and how human nature should
be taken into account when making and enforcing
ever-more-encompassing anti-corruption compliance rules.
In Sweden, the National Council for Crime Prevention urges
officials 'to discourage hospitality and gratitude', two
classical virtues.1 Under Swedish law, 'bribery'
in both the government and the private sector, includes not only
'bribes' but also 'other illegitimate rewards to
express gratitude for services already
performed'.2
