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Individual Wrong or Systemic Failure? Moral Judgements About the Integrity of Politicians in the Wake of Dutch Integrity Scandals

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  • Willianne Van Ginkel-Kempenaar

    (Stichting Landmerk, Herenstraat 43, 3512 KB Utrecht, The Netherlands
    PhD Candidate Philosophy of Culture, Politics and Organisation, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1105, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

  • Toon Kerkhoff

    (Institute of Public Administration, Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs, Leiden University, Turfmarkt 99, 2511 DP The Hague, The Netherlands)

Abstract

This article focuses on moral judgements about the integrity of politicians expressed by various actors in public opinion in the wake of Dutch integrity scandals. The research assesses the link between a supposed act on the one hand and moral judgements of the actors involved on the other in an effort to improve our understanding of how political integrity is perceived and how it is used in public and political debate. This exploratory study takes three Dutch case studies of supposed conflicts of interest. Each case offers a view on judgements concerning political integrity from various media outlets, focused on three different levels: judgements of personal integrity, role integrity and political system integrity. This novel theoretical construct serves to see whether and, if so, how moral judgements about political integrity are linked to systemic (dis)satisfaction with government and politics. In addition—and focusing on the Dutch context only—the article assesses how people’s supposed place on a political ideological spectrum from left to right might influence their moral judgement. The article underscores the theoretical notion that the meaning of political integrity is inherently subject to varied interpretation and context of place and time. This also has important practical implications for managing and improving political integrity.

Suggested Citation

  • Willianne Van Ginkel-Kempenaar & Toon Kerkhoff, 2024. "Individual Wrong or Systemic Failure? Moral Judgements About the Integrity of Politicians in the Wake of Dutch Integrity Scandals," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-23, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jadmsc:v:14:y:2024:i:12:p:331-:d:1538313
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Emiliano Di Carlo, 2013. "How Much Is Really Known About the Meaning of the Term “Conflict of Interest”?," International Journal of Public Administration, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 36(12), pages 884-896.
    2. McGraw, Kathleen M., 1990. "Avoiding Blame: An Experimental Investigation of Political Excuses and Justifications," British Journal of Political Science, Cambridge University Press, vol. 20(1), pages 119-131, January.
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