本文將從「廉政是國家正直體系的化身」、「廉政需付代價」、「廉政與政體轉型及全球發展」、「廉政與民主發展」和「廉政的陷阱」等不同的層面來論述「廉政不廉價」的觀點。在成熟的民主國家，「廉政」係由國家正直體系所支撐及豐富；這包括三權分立的政府體制，精確嚴密的陽光法案，中立透明、利益迴避和國家忠誠的公務倫理，反貪腐的NGO 及公民社會，公正的媒體，正直的公民文化和簡樸永續的社會生活等。現代的社會需要德先生（Mr. Democracy ）與賽先生（Mr. Science）；後現代的社會需要責任小姐（Ms. Responsibility）與和好小姐（Ms. Reconciliation ）。「廉政不廉價」在於為反貪腐的全民共識作規範性的民主論述；並堅持應以建構法治為基礎的反貪腐行為，如此，反貪腐的全民堅持才不致徒增人民困擾與社會失序。

This article elaborates on the concept of transparency-oriented national integrity and provides some thoughts for a more sustainable and democratic approach to achieve government transparency. It states that governments, party organizations, political leaders, civil society and NGO leaders all share a responsibility and a need to work quickly to set up a Democratic National Integrity System rather than mobilize anti-corruption movements and stir up debates over political ideology. The basic argument is that the pursuit of transparent administration and good governance is not an emotional dispute or a matter of political and ideological talkback. Government Transparency Does not Come Cheap means that we have to pay the price and make the effort to enact a comprehensive system of “sunshine laws” and institute them in a constitutional democratic framework. In modern society, we need Mr. Democracy and Mr. Science; however, in a postmodern society, we need Ms. Responsibility and Ms. Reconciliation more than ever.