Editing Integrity (section)

== In politics ==
Politicians are given power to make, execute, or control policy, which can have important consequences. They typically promise to exercise this power in a way that serves society, but may not do so, which opposes the notion of integrity. Aristotle said that because rulers have power they will be tempted to use it for personal gain.<ref>{{cite book|author=Aristotle|author-link=Aristotle|title=Politics|title-link=Politics (Aristotle)}}{{Verify source|reason=which section?|date=August 2023}}</ref>

In the book ''The Servant of the People'', Muel Kaptein says integrity should start with politicians knowing what their position{{ambiguous|reason="their position" could mean "their political platform" or "the office they hold"|date=August 2023}} entails, because the consistency required by integrity applies also to the consequences of one's position. Integrity also demands knowledge and compliance with both the letter and the spirit of the written and unwritten rules. Integrity is also acting consistently not only with what is generally accepted as moral, what others think, but primarily with what is ethical, what politicians should do based on reasonable arguments.<ref name="Kaptein 2014">{{cite journal
| ssrn = 2498730
| title = The Servant of the People: On the Power of Integrity in Politics and Government
| last = Kaptein
| first = Muel
| year = 2014
| publisher = Social Science Research Network}}</ref>

Important{{to whom?|date=August 2023}} virtues of politicians are faithfulness, humility,<ref name="Kaptein 2014"/> and accountability. Furthermore, they should{{According to whom|date=August 2023}} be authentic and a role model. [[Aristotle]] identified [[dignity]] ({{transliteration|grc|[[Magnanimity#Aristotle|megalopsychia]]}}, variously translated as proper pride, greatness of soul, and magnanimity)<ref name="auto">{{cite book|title=The Nicomachean Ethics|title-link=Nicomachean Ethics|author=Aristotle|at=IV.3}}</ref> as the crown of the virtues, distinguishing it from vanity, temperance, and humility.