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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. Table of Contents Part I. General: 1. Conflict of interest as a cross-cutting problem of governance 2. Conflict of interest from the perspective of the sociology of organised action 3. Empirical research on conflict of interest: a critical look Part II. Global Governance: 4. Conflict of interest of international civil servants 5. How to start thinking about conflict of interest in global governance? 6. Conflict of interest in international investment arbitration 7. Conflict of interest in universal human rights bodies Part III. Public Governance: 8. Conflict of interest and administrative law 9. Conflict of interest and the administration of public affairs – a local perspective 10. A dilemma in the separation of powers: public servants as legislators 11. Politicians as judges? Conflict of interest in Swiss parliament during decisions on the validity of popular initiatives 12. Private vices, public benefits? Small-town bureaucratization in Namibia 13. Conflict of interest of heads of state: the example of Madagascar Part IV. Corporate and Financial Governance and the Professions: 14. Conflict of interest: compliance and its contribution to corporate governance in the financial services sector 15. Conflict of interest and the furore over banker compensation 16. Conflict of interest related to management and board payments – profit-based remuneration systems make things worse 17. Taking conflict of interest in corporate law seriously – direct and indirect rules addressing the agency problem 18. Conflict of interest at the bedside: surrogate decision making at the end of life Part V. Conclusion: 19. Managing conflict of interest: lessons from multiple disciplines and settings.