Conflict of interest in American public life / Andrew Stark.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

The perils of prophylactic law -- The topography of conflict -- Self-dealing -- Undue influence -- Abuse of office -- Private payment for public acts -- Private gain from public office -- The revolving door: I -- The revolving door: II -- Interest, bias, and ideology -- Limousine liberals, country-club conservatives -- On character in American politics -- Self-generated versus other-imposed encumbrances on judgement -- Quid pro quo and campaign finance -- Spousal interests -- Combination of roles and ex parte contracts -- Hold the interest, vary the role -- De minimis -- The meaning of "the appearance of official impropriety" -- The legalistic attack on the appearance standard -- The political justification for the appearance standard -- Recusal, divestiture, balance, and disclosure -- What is a balanced committee? -- Disclosure and its discontents.