To what extent would you cheat?

Recently the news has headlined the expenses of MPs. MPs seem to fall into 3 camps:

1. those who have been extremely modest in their claims;
2. those who have claimed within the rules but whose claims seem excessive
3. those who appear to have made claims outside of the rules.

It has not been a good time for politicians, but it does raise interesting questions about our own predisposition to 'cheating'.

The BBC's Today programme interviewed behavioural economist Dan Ariely and his research is absolutely fascinating. Theologians have known this for a long time, but his research finds that given the right environment we all find ways to cheat to a greater or lesser degree. His interview is well worth listening to and it can be found on the link below:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/today/evandavis/2009/05/would_you_claim_mps_expenses.html