Cultivating Ethical Conduct in the Personal, Private, and Public Sectors: Moving from Anti-Corruption Structural Reforms to Individual Accountability

Abstract

Finding an effective path toward greater ethical conduct, less corruption, and greater personal integrity has been elusive. This is not because of lack of attention. The last 25 years have seen dramatic growth in global consensus and action on reducing corrupt behavior and promoting ethical conduct. Major initiatives by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, the United Nations, and the World Bank, led to major changes in global tolerance for corruption and corresponding emphasis on promoting ethical conduct. This article will discuss the global move toward structural reforms to reduce corruption, and demonstrate how a corresponding effort toward promoting ethical conduct through individual accountability is emerging and is necessary for these reforms to be effective.