The principle of integrity and anti-corruption policies: a study with particular focus on the Italian case

The following proposal aims to stimulate a discussion on the link between corruption prevention policies and the principle of integrity. First of all, it investigates the legal significance of integrity. Then, it reconstructs the evolution of this principle, both on international and European level, with the last purpose to understand how much the Italian corruption prevention system complies with the recommendations on integrity. According to the research conducted so far, this principle has undergone distinct stages and development paths. Some countries (UK and USA) have adopted it at legislative level, starting from the 70s, while in other countries it has become part of domestic legislation only as a result of the principle’s development in European and international Conventions on corruption, with particular regard to the United Nations Convention against corruption (UNCAC). The evolution of this principle, which once fell within the concept of public ethics, has gone through three different seasons: at first its content did not have a clear definition, then it acquired a certain independence. Later its scope was extended, to the point that it has gradually assumed a central position within the national legislation on the rules of conduct of public officials.4 The Italian anti-corruption legislation is a very interesting case study, both due to its remarkable consistency with international recommendations and with the concept of public integrity. Indeed, by analysing the Italian case, an effective implementation of some elements can be inferred, in particular the adoption of a corruption prevention system. However, due to some typical factors of the Italian reforms on public employment, there are also some weaknesses: the concept of integrity has been divided between administrative impartiality and efficiency. The aim of this contribution is to understand the central role of this principle in domestic legislation and its connection to anti-corruption policies.