About the Author

Dennis F. Thompson, the Alfred North Whitehead Professor of Political Philosophy and director of the Program in Ethics and the Professions at Harvard University, is the author of Political Ethics and Public Office (Harvard, 1987).

Reviews

"A lucid perspective on the state of congressional ethics.... Readable, erudite, and subtly argued." — Kirkus Review|"This important book on a timeless topic should be added to every serious political library.
" — Choice|"Thompson's commonsense, real world approach, when combined with his scholarship and brilliance, make this a major contribution to the field of congressional ethics." —Robert S. Bennet, Former Special Counsel, Senate Ethics Committee, Endors|"a suggestion for the policy wonk on your Christmas shopping list" —Kathy Gill, About.com, 12/10/2007|"The whole area of Congressional ethics is in desperate need of nuance, analytical rigor, and attention to the problems that really matter. Thompson brings those qualities to the topic. His move to institutional corruption is important conceptually because most people, practitioners and thoughtful commentators alike, are preoccupied with individual corruption. And it's important practically because that preoccupation blinds everybody to some truly important issues. Thompson brings a rare clarity, perspective, and detachment to these matters." —John Kingdon, University of Michigan, Author of Congressmen's Voting Decisions|"Exemplifies bold intellectual leadership. It identifies, clarifies, and illustrates the political problem of institutional corruption. It is an elegant analysis of practices of Congress and principles of representative democracy by some one who wants to strengthen both." —Richard F. Fenno, University of Rochester