Conflict of Interest in Global, Public and Corporate Governance

Description

Conflict of interest occurs at all levels of governance, ranging from local to global, both in the public and the corporate and financial spheres. There is increasing awareness that conflicts of interest may distort decision-making processes and generate inappropriate outcomes, thereby undermining the functioning of public institutions and markets. However, the current worldwide trend towards regulation, which seeks to forestall, prevent and manage conflicts of interest, has its price. Drawbacks may include the stifling of decision-making processes, the loss of expertise among decision-makers and a vicious circle of distrust. This interdisciplinary and international book addresses specific situations of conflict of interest in different spheres of governance, particularly in global, public and corporate governance.

Anne Peters is Professor of Public International Law and Dean of Research of the Law Faculty at the University of Basel and the vice-president of the board of the Basel Institute on Governance. She is also a member of the Council of Europe's Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission) in respect of Germany and she currently serves as the president of the European Society of International Law. Lukas Handschin is Professor of Commercial, Company and Accounting Law at the University of Basel and an attorney at law in a Zurich law firm. He is also a member of the board of the Basel Institute on Governance and of the board of the Swiss Association for Sports Law.