Summary

This book is the first international comparative study of local integrity systems, paying attention to the policies, practices and actors at the local government level that aim to fight corruption and safeguard integrity. It provides critical, up-to-date reports of the local integrity systems in seven world cities: Sydney/New South Wales, New York, Hong Kong, London, Hamburg, Amsterdam and Antwerp. For each city a description of the integrity system is given by the head of the key integrity agency, followed by an evaluation by an ethics researcher who is familiar with the city's integrity system. In the introductory chapter, an overview is provided of relevant ethics and integrity institutions and policies at the national and international level. The final chapter presents a cross-city comparison of the results, proposes a framework for analysis and assessment of local integrity systems and provides an ambitious outline for future research and practice. With its unique combination of theory and practice, Local Integrity Systems will appeal to academics and practitioners in the area of ethics and integrity in local government.