A Conflict of Interest thought experiment  for Joseph Biden – and others

The pardon by President Joseph Biden of his son Hunter for weapons and tax charges was the subject of near universal condemnation as a conflict of interest.  We at the COI Blog share that concern, but are less interested in the facts  of individual cases as we are about what they tell us about how to  identify and  address  COIs generally.

Consider  how in 1973  Chicago Mayor Daley, in speaking to colleagues on the  Cook County Democratic Committee, defended his having directed a million dollars of insurance business to an agency on behalf of his son John with the immortal words: “If I can’t help my sons, then [my critics] can kiss my ass. I make no apologies to anyone.”

Or, consider the case from the 1980’s which  concerned the hiring (by a former Miss America) of a NY judge’s daughter to influence the judge’s decision on a pending case Judge's daughter takes the stand in Myerson trial – UPI Archives

 In 2016, JP Morgan settled a “Princeling” case, which involved the bank’s hiring the sons and daughters of important Chinese officials in return for business.  https://www.finews.asia/finance/23431-jp-morgan-princelings-china-settlement-hiring-quid-pro-quo-hong-kong

And then there is the college admission scandal – where various individuals engaged in bribery to help their children get into elite colleges. https://www.bestcolleges.com/blog/operation-varsity-blues-college-admissions-scandal/.

There are doubtless many other cases like these – presumably going back to our early history.

This should be no surprise. After all, we are conditioned to protect our young at essentially any cost. But that doesn’t mean doing  so should  be acceptable

I think that a simple “thought experiment” could be instructive in this regard, which is to ask:  Are there things that – for ethical reasons – you would do for your children that you would not do for yourself?  

This can be used in C&E training and communications,

It is not a panacea for all COIs.

But it could be helpful in addressing many.