http://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/blog/290/ipsas-battle-for-consent/?source=rss Institute for Government Blog Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:45:53 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 http://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/blog/290/ipsas-battle-for-consent/comment-page-1/#comment-18 Joe Egerton Thu, 29 Jul 2010 18:19:04 +0000 http://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/blog/?p=290#comment-18 The behaviour of some MPs in behaving badly to the staff of IPSA is entirely wrong and has, I suspect, distracted attention from fundamental criticisms that can be made about IPSA. A sharp distinction needs to be drawn between abuse and analysis - and the entirely legitimate tactic of making an organisation that needs reform look ridiculous. One fundamental issue is the role of rules. Sir Ian Kennedy thinks rules have to be adhered to rigidly. Aristotle maintained that (outside the natural sciences and mathematics) rules can only operate os epi to polu - generally and for the most part. Aristotle was followed by St Ignatius of Loyola in establishing and regulating the Society of Jesus which has survived numerous challenges over 450 years including an actual Papal suppression. The behaviour of some MPs in behaving badly to the staff of IPSA is entirely wrong and has, I suspect, distracted attention from fundamental criticisms that can be made about IPSA. A sharp distinction needs to be drawn between abuse and analysis – and the entirely legitimate tactic of making an organisation that needs reform look ridiculous.
One fundamental issue is the role of rules. Sir Ian Kennedy thinks rules have to be adhered to rigidly. Aristotle maintained that (outside the natural sciences and mathematics) rules can only operate os epi to polu – generally and for the most part. Aristotle was followed by St Ignatius of Loyola in establishing and regulating the Society of Jesus which has survived numerous challenges over 450 years including an actual Papal suppression.

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