Ethics in Public Administration
In the public sector, ethics addresses the fundamental premise of a public administrator’s duty as a “steward” to the public. In other words, it is the moral justification and consideration for decisions and actions made during the completion of daily duties when working to provide the general Services of government and nonprofit organizations. Ethics is defined as, among others, the entirety of rules of proper moral conduct corresponding to the ideology of a particular Society or organization (Eduard). Public sector ethics is a broad topic because values and morals vary between cultures. Despite the differences in ethical values, there is a growing common ground of what is considered good conduct and correct conduct with ethics. Ethics are an accountability standard by which the public will scrutinize the work being conducted by the members of these organizations. The question of ethics emerges in the public sector on account of its subordinate character. Decisions are based upon ethical principles, which are the perception of what the general public would view as correct. Ensuring the ethical behavior in the public sector requires a permanent reflection on the decisions taken and their impact from a moral point of view on citizens. Having such a distinction ensures that public administrators are not acting on an internal set of ethical principles without first questioning whether those principles would hold to public scrutiny. It also has placed an additional burden upon public administrators regarding the conduct of their personal lives. Public sector ethics is an attempt to create a more open Atmosphere within governmental operations.
John Rohr, in defining bureaucrats as public administrators, approaches ethic standards in government as a requirement due to the nature of the work of administrators. He writes, “because bureaucrats govern through authority that is discretionary, and because they are not elected, the ordinary means of popular control are inapplicable”. Rohr assumes that public administrators are working to benefit the general public’s needs. When an elected official does not act in line with the public’s expectations, they can be removed from office. However, public administrators are protected with due process rights as government employees, and ethical violations can be difficult to justify the removal of a person from an office. Many questions about how ethics should be addressed in
government exist. According to Cody and Lynn, the debate centers on the extent to which one would like to detail ethical standards. For example, they cite the general litmus test for administrators regarding whether or not they would like to hear about their actions on the front page of tomorrow’s newspaper. That is, a public official should gauge their decisions by how he/she would interpret the public scrutiny should his/her decision appear on the front page of the next day’s newspaper. If it would be viewed as a problem by the public, then the administrator should refrain from the action in question.
The Honest Person Rule: Unless there is an underlying honesty within people, a set of ethical rules is meaningless. This supporting argument for the general guidelines maintains that for ethical standards to be practical an individual must be ethically Sound from the beginning. As Cody and Lynn point out, it is possible for a public official to act unethically, but not be personally dishonest. The litmus test example and the Honest Person Rule are broad standards without much definition. As a consequence, broadly defined ethical standards are difficult to assess regarding concerns of ethical violations. In order to have greater accountability, more specific standards are needed, or a statement of applied ethics. To further provide some definition, Rohr classifies ethics in government with some of the approaches that have been taken. The USDA devised a system where employees were asked questions and then asked to rank the actions as permissible, not permissible, and permissible with prior written approval. Rohr argues that this type of approach, known as the Low Road merely places an understanding of what not to do in order to steer clear of trouble . This approach does not assist an employee in providing a standard for what is truly ethical behavior.
The High Road, according to Rohr, is the basis of decisions upon a pursuit for social Equity, which is based upon political philosophy and humanistic psychology. Rohr finds problems with both the Low Road and High Road approaches and bases his argument on regime values, or “the values of that political entity that was brought into being by the ratification of the Constitution that created the present American republic”. He contends that regime values are built upon three considerations:
- Ethical norms should be derived from the salient values of the regime;
- These values are normative for bureaucrats because they have taken an oath to uphold the regime
- and These values can be discovered in the public law of the regime.
Levels of ethical decision-making
Terry Cooper is an often-cited author in the field of public administration ethics. His book, The Responsible Administrator, is an in-depth attempt to bridge the philosophical points of ethics and the complex workings of public administration. While not revolutionary, his work has become a focal point around which ethical decision-making in the public sector are made. In The Responsible Administrator, he states that public administrators make decisions daily according to a distinctive four-level process. The four levels are:
The Expressive Level: At this stage, a person responds to a situation with “spontaneous, reflective expressions of emotion … which neither invite a reply nor attempt to persuade others”.
The Level of Moral Rules: This is the first level at which we begin to question actions and begin to look for alternatives and consequences. The responses at this level are often built upon “moral rules we acquire through the socialization process from our families, religious affiliations, Education and personal experiences.” Decisions on how to handle the situation are then whittled down based on what we feel is the most appropriate action within our own personal moral bank.
The Level of Ethical Analysis: There are times when a personal moral code will seem inadequate for the situation, or that the alternatives and consequences do not feel right. When this occurs, a person has entered this level and begins to examine their ethical principles, or “statements concerning the conduct or state of being that is required for the fulfillment of a value; it explicitly links a value with a general mode of action”. Particularly, at this level, one begins to reexamine their personal values, and may eventually disagree with actions to such an extent that they will become “whistleblowers.”
The Post-ethical Level: At this level, questions arise about one’s view of the world and human nature, how we know anything to be true, and the meaning of life. Here there is a philosophical examination as to why ethical standards are important and relevant to the individual.
The importance of ethics in public administration
Ethics provide accountability between the public and the administration. Adhering to a Code of ethics ensures that the public receives what it needs in a fair manner. It also gives the administration guidelines for Integrity in their operations. That integrity, in turn, helps foster the trust of the community. By creating this atmosphere of trust, the administration helps the public understand that they are working with their best interests in mind. Additionally, a code of ethics creates standards of professionalism that co-workers in the public sector can expect from each other — the public can also expect the same from their leaders. With a strong code of ethics in public administration, leaders have the guidelines they need to carry out their tasks and inspire their employees and committees to enforce laws in a professional and equitable manner.
Another positive outcome of good ethics in public administration is timely and informative Communication with the community. This kind of transparency builds trust and prevents or minimizes the potential issues that can arise when information is divulged from outside sources. If there is something of consequence that the public needs to know about, it’s better for it to come directly from the leaders and administration. Communication also keeps all parties involved so that they can all work toward a common goal. Good communication ensures that the community can engage their leaders on important issues.
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Ethics in public administration is a complex and ever-evolving field. It encompasses a wide range of issues, from ethical decision-making to ethical codes and standards.
Ethical decision-making is the process of choosing between two or more courses of action that have both positive and negative consequences. It is a complex process that requires careful consideration of all the factors involved.
Ethical codes and standards are sets of guidelines that outline the ethical principles that public servants should uphold. They provide a framework for ethical decision-making and help to ensure that public servants act in a way that is consistent with the public interest.
Conflicts of interest arise when a public servant has a personal interest in a matter that they are dealing with in their official capacity. This can create a situation where the public servant’s personal interest could influence their decision-making, which could be detrimental to the public interest.
Gifts and gratuities are items or services that are given to a public servant in exchange for their official action. They can create a conflict of interest and can also be seen as a form of bribery.
Political activity is the involvement of public servants in political campaigns or activities. This can create a conflict of interest and can also damage the public’s trust in government.
Sexual harassment is unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. It is a form of discrimination and can create a hostile work Environment.
Discrimination is the unfair treatment of a person or group of people based on their race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or other personal characteristics. It is a violation of the public trust and can damage the public’s confidence in government.
Transparency and Accountability are essential to good government. Public servants must be transparent in their decision-making and accountable for their actions. This helps to ensure that government is open and responsive to the public.
Public trust is essential to a well-functioning Democracy. The public must trust that government is acting in their best interests. This trust can be eroded by unethical behavior on the part of public servants.
Ethical Leadership is essential to creating a culture of ethics in government. Ethical leaders set a good example for their employees and create an environment where ethical behavior is expected and rewarded.
Ethical culture is the shared values and norms that guide the behavior of public servants. A strong ethical culture can help to prevent unethical behavior and promote ethical decision-making.
Ethical training and education are essential to ensuring that public servants have the knowledge and skills they need to make ethical decisions. This training should cover topics such as ethical decision-making, conflict of interest, and sexual harassment.
Ethical research is essential to understanding the ethical issues that public servants face. This research can help to identify new ethical challenges and develop strategies for addressing them.
Ethical enforcement is essential to ensuring that public servants who engage in unethical behavior are held accountable. This enforcement can take a variety of forms, such as disciplinary action, criminal prosecution, or civil lawsuits.
Ethical reform is essential to addressing the ethical challenges that public servants face. This reform can take a variety of forms, such as changes to ethical codes and standards, changes to the way government operates, or changes to the way public servants are trained and educated.
Ethical challenges in the 21st century are complex and ever-changing. Public servants must be prepared to deal with these challenges in a way that upholds the public trust.
Some of the most pressing ethical challenges in the 21st century include:
- The rise of technology: New technologies, such as Social Media and Artificial Intelligence, are creating new ethical challenges for public servants.
- The changing nature of work: The changing nature of work, such as the rise of the gig economy, is also creating new ethical challenges for public servants.
- The increasing complexity of government: The increasing complexity of government is making it more difficult for public servants to make ethical decisions.
- The decline of trust in government: The decline of trust in government is making it more difficult for public servants to uphold the public trust.
Public servants must be prepared to deal with these challenges in a way that upholds the public trust. This requires a commitment to ethical decision-making, ethical codes and standards, and ethical leadership.
Here are some frequently asked questions and short answers about ethics in public administration:
What is ethics in public administration?
Ethics in public administration is the study of the moral principles that should guide the behavior of public officials. It is concerned with issues such as honesty, integrity, fairness, and accountability.Why is ethics important in public administration?
Ethics is important in public administration because it helps to ensure that public officials act in the best interests of the public. It also helps to build trust between the public and the government.What are some of the ethical challenges facing public administrators?
Some of the ethical challenges facing public administrators include:- Conflicts of interest: Public officials may face conflicts of interest when they have personal or financial interests that could interfere with their ability to make impartial decisions.
- Whistleblowing: Public officials may have to decide whether to blow the whistle on unethical or illegal behavior by their superiors or colleagues.
- Privacy: Public officials must balance the need for confidentiality with the public’s right to know.
Transparency: Public officials must be transparent in their decision-making and avoid conflicts of interest.
What are some of the ethical principles that should guide public officials?
Some of the ethical principles that should guide public officials include:- Honesty: Public officials should be honest in their dealings with the public and with each other.
- Integrity: Public officials should act with integrity and be consistent in their words and actions.
- Fairness: Public officials should treat everyone fairly and without bias.
Accountability: Public officials should be accountable for their actions and be willing to answer for their decisions.
What are some of the ways that public administrators can promote ethical behavior?
Some of the ways that public administrators can promote ethical behavior include:- Setting a good example: Public officials should set a good example for others by behaving ethically themselves.
- Creating a culture of ethics: Public officials should create a culture of ethics in their organizations by promoting ethical behavior and providing training on ethical issues.
Enforcing ethical standards: Public officials should enforce ethical standards and take action against those who violate them.
What are some of the consequences of unethical behavior in public administration?
Some of the consequences of unethical behavior in public administration include:- Damage to the public’s trust: Unethical behavior can damage the public’s trust in the government.
- Legal problems: Public officials who engage in unethical behavior may face legal consequences, such as fines or imprisonment.
- Professional sanctions: Public officials who engage in unethical behavior may face professional sanctions, such as suspension or expulsion from their professional organizations.
Damage to the individual’s reputation: Unethical behavior can damage the reputation of the individual involved.
What are some of the Resources available to public administrators who need help with ethical issues?
Some of the resources available to public administrators who need help with ethical issues include:- Ethics offices: Many government agencies have ethics offices that can provide guidance on ethical issues.
- Professional organizations: Professional organizations often have codes of ethics and can provide guidance on ethical issues.
- Ethics consultants: Ethics consultants can provide confidential advice on ethical issues.
Which of the following is NOT a principle of ethics in public administration?
(A) Public Service is a public trust.
(B) Public servants should act impartially and objectively.
(C) Public servants should be honest and trustworthy.
(D) Public servants should be efficient and effective.Which of the following is NOT a conflict of interest?
(A) A public servant accepting a gift from a private citizen.
(B) A public servant using their position to benefit themselves or their family.
(C) A public servant working for a private company that does business with the government.
(D) A public servant having a personal relationship with someone who does business with the government.Which of the following is NOT a way to prevent conflicts of interest?
(A) Public servants should disclose any potential conflicts of interest to their supervisor.
(B) Public servants should avoid situations where they could benefit personally from their position.
(C) Public servants should recuse themselves from decisions that could benefit them personally.
(D) Public servants should not accept gifts from private citizens.Which of the following is NOT a way to promote ethical behavior in public administration?
(A) Public servants should be held accountable for their actions.
(B) Public servants should be trained on ethical issues.
(C) Public servants should have access to confidential counseling.
(D) Public servants should be rewarded for ethical behavior.Which of the following is NOT a way to improve public trust in government?
(A) Public servants should be honest and transparent.
(B) Public servants should be efficient and effective.
(C) Public servants should be accountable for their actions.
(D) Public servants should be responsive to the needs of the public.