Public interest

Public interest is a term meaning something that benefits all the people.^[1] This is compared to a personal interest that only benefits one person. Something that is in the public interest is something that concerns the general public. It is something governments recognize, protect and serve.^[1] Thomas Aquinas stated the purpose of government and the law was to serve the “common good” (Latin: bonum commune), meaning the public interest.^[2] The term can also be vague in its use. For example, 'public interest' can be used by governments for the purpose of state secrecy. It can also be misused to mean something that actually serves private interests.^[3]

References

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 "public interest". WebFinance, Inc. Archived from the original on 7 January 2015. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
↑ "Public Interest, Political Philosophy and the Study of Public Administration". Public Interest in UK Courts. Archived from the original on 6 March 2015. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
↑ "The public interest". ICAEW. Retrieved 8 February 2015.

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[WFI-1] 1.0 ^1.1 "public interest". WebFinance, Inc. Archived from the original on 7 January 2015. Retrieved 8 February 2015.

[2] "Public Interest, Political Philosophy and the Study of Public Administration". Public Interest in UK Courts. Archived from the original on 6 March 2015. Retrieved 8 February 2015.

[3] "The public interest". ICAEW. Retrieved 8 February 2015.

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