How far does integrity and honesty go in politics(domestic and foreign)?

Answer 1

I would think that it would go a very long way.

Answer 2

A good question. The problem with answering it is that its been tried so seldom that it's hard to tell how well it works.

I'm being serious. Here's what I see (as a professional historian): there are some people who emerge from time to time who are clearly honest --people of real integrity. And--as far as being effective, some are--very much so. You won't find any who are perfect--but we're talking about people who make a real effort to "do the rigt thing the right way."

Among Americans, I'd include Senator Ross--whose ote stopped the attempt to impeach/convict Andrew Johnson back in th e1860s. His action made a huge difference in American politics--it wansn't until the 1990s that someoneattempted to again remove a sitting president for political reasons. but it cost Ross his political career.

Others--Gandhi, of course. Abraham LIncoln. There are others. both of those were assassinated.

This may be the problmem. Really outstanding people--who have both a high degree of integrity and the ability to get things done--are likely to inspire hate as well as admiration. They seem to have a tendancy to be killed or forced out of pulbic life.

So--can integrity and honesty work in politics? I'd say yes. but somebody needs to figure out how to keep such people in office and alive.

Answer 3

In Washington (or whatever capitol city we'll be talking), not far. The political systems of the world (well, most of them) are so horribly contaminated with corruption, greed, bribery, and lies. Honesty and integrity don't get you anything good, if anything, it gives you enemies, and may get you ousted, or worse.

With the people, this honesty could be, and probably would be cherished, and would greatly advance a good politician. Just once I'd like to hear a politician, regardless of if I support him or her say "Sorry, I messed up" and not be doing so to pander for votes. If they actually mean this, they could go very far (assuming we're speaking of a democracy or a republic).

Answer 4

Not very far...unfortunately for some, though, I wish it did. However, for a few, mostly the Republicans....integrity and honesty goes farther than most. Great example is President Bush and his administration is demonstrating integrity in the White House. Previously, Clinton administration, did not. Foreign politics...I cringe at the thought of any demonstration in integrity, it doesn't exist...especially in the Middle East.

Answer 5

All successful politicians must lie or at least distort the truth because too many American voters are offended by unpleasant realities. This makes integrity in politicians hard to judge, especially since the media does not distinguish between lying consistently and principles. We usually have to wait for historians to go through their private papers decades later to find out the reality behind their public actions, and to judge whether or not they had any core beliefs of were just clever ambitious men playing a role in public.

Answer 6

Further than one would believe, at first. If you become distrusted, you will lose effectiveness in a democratic society.

(A dictator like Hitler, Stalin or Mao distrusts everyone and in turn is distrusted, but gets results -- good and bad -- by having supreme power).

Probably the most important quality in a democratic society is the ability to make deals and stick to them.

If you're a person who finds the deal in question "dishonest" or "corrupt", you'll be turned off the politicians who made it. If you get something out of the deal, you'll probably think the politicians were brilliant.

Naivete and self-righteousness are the worst, viz. Woodrow Wilson. He seems to have a reputation for being honest, but he was such a PRIG, and his approach to politics was pretty much "my way or the highway".

Answer 7

A man (or woman) is only as good as his word. If a person is unreliable and dishonest, he/she will not be taken seriously, especially by world leaders. Domestically, it is hard to say. Some people seem to enjoy being lied to as long as the lie is what they want to hear.

It is pretty incredible but even among her own supporters, Hillary polls as the least honest candidate in the race. You would think that would preclude one from being a supporter but, alas, it does not.

Happy New Year!

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Answer 8

americans don't go for integrity and honesty,if they did ron paul would have more then 4% in the polls.he's the only candidate running that has integrity and the voting record to back it up

Answer 9

There is no integrity and honesty in politics.

Answer 10

About as far as you could physically throw some of the fat bastards.