chapter 6 - values, work ethics and discipline-210314_033315
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Chapter 6: Values, Work Ethics and Discipline in Public Administration
Chapter 6:
Values, Work Ethics and Discipline in Public Administration
KLB 2213: Introduction to Public AdministrationIntroductionIn serving the public interest and maintaining the public trust, public administrators must:
Uphold the values of societyAct responsibly
The public interest is the guide for administrative decisions
Decisions are made based on the best interests of the collective, overarching community or national good not narrow interests of small or self-serving groups
Ethical Problems for Public ManagersConflict of interestDistorting or concealing informationMisuse of expense accounts, public fundsTaking credit for others workGiving/receiving excessive gifts and entertainmentMisleading statements to superiorsKickbacksPolitical favorsAbuse of powerDrug and alcohol abuseEmployee theftDiscriminationSexual harassment
Ethical Practice is Necessary in Public Administration What is Ethics?The analysis of what is morally good, bad, right, and wrongpublic managers can make decisions and judgments that are fairer, more assured, normative, publicly defensible
Ethical analysis looks at valuesthings considered to be important, the criteria used for making decisions
Two types of valuesGoal values what you want to achieveConduct values the way you get thereGoal Values What You Want to AchieveEthics of outcomes
In public policy and administration, often refer to the utilitarian ethicUtilitarianism = The greatest good for the greatest number
Views social value as the total of everyones expected value for some alternative outcome
Used in public affairs often because easier to think about, justify, and pursue than other ethical approaches
Sometimes utilitarian goals easily met, other times can be very controversial
Conduct Values The Way You Get ThereEthics of actions
Right or wrong decisions depend on conformity with principle
In public affairs, ethical principle = actions become law required of everyoneAbsolutism single, uniform principle is criterion for rightnessNever tell a lie no matter what the circumstancesDo no harmTreat others like you want to be treated
In some cases absolute conformity with a principle is possible and works well, but there may be multiple worthy principlesContradictions and loopholes among principles can emergeEthics in Administration: Who Guards the Guardians?Public administrators are responsible for serving the public interest and guarding the public trust
But who guards them?
Public managers, administrators, and the permanent civil service make many decisions with major impacts for the public and individual welfare
However, they are not elected by the people
Ethical practice is therefore vital
Misconception of public interestCorruption Misconception of the Public InterestCan happen in public administration because
Administrators may not be a representative sample of the public at largeSocial class affects perception of people, their problems, and their wants/needs
Administrators are expertsFrom their specialization, may develop a narrow outlook on public interestTheir expert view is most important, others views less importantLack of consideration for alternative solutions, even if legitimate or dominant
Bureaus can be captured by client interestsClose association, information, expertise, and personnel sharingServe interests of clients the regulated community instead of public interest
CorruptionBetraying the public trust to achieve private gain
Abuse of power through ability to make rules and decisions
Public administrators have something to allocate that others want
Worldwide phenomenon, seriously limits the ability and credibility of government
Political systems cannot function without exchange and bargainingSupport for your party partly to receive its supportSupport for legislation in parliament so that it will support yours
All countries have norms and values that determine legitimate political exchangeIll reduce your taxes if you vote for me OKIll give you $100 if you vote for me Illegal
Corruption vs. Civic Culture
Civic culture promotes community interests over private ones
Sees government as impersonalGovernment is not an instrument for giving and getting special favorsTrading votes for money and jobs is corruptOffering money to get licenses or contracts is corrupt (bribery)Government s job is to advance the general welfareContracts, licenses, jobs, and other benefits are allocated impersonally based on merit, worth, and community-regarding rulesRules and benefits are applied irrespective of party affiliation
Political exchange is necessary but must align with civic culture
Public Administration Perspectives on EthicsManagerial Approach to EthicsAssignment of authority and responsibility must be clearHierarchy with ideally single official at the topThis way decisions wont get confused
SubordinationSubordinates must obey the commands of their superiorsStreet-level bureaucracy is problematic
Loyalty Organizational socialization promotes importance of the mission creates unity and cohesion in the bureauContinuing to develop expertise and specialization makes employee non-transferrable
Managerial Approach to EthicsFormal disciplinary systemsCodes of conduct to enforce accountability Rules Use of agency authority and propertyTimelinessEven personal detailsEthical behavior means staying out of trouble
Financial auditsEthical use of public fundsInspectors general report to Congress, investigate if program funds were used as intended by the policy in terms of performance, management, and reportingPolitical Approach to EthicsRepresentation and accountability are key factors
Representation, public participationDiversified, pluralist civil service represents values/perspectivesThe public/groups can participate in administrative procedures
Sunshine lawsAccessibility, open hearings, Freedom of Information Act
Rotation in OfficeMove civil servants between agencies, bureaus or in and out of public service, develop a broader sense of public interest so hopefully will not misinterpret
Legislative oversightCommittee, subcommittee hearings, confirm appointees, require administrators to follow process, elected officials need to have oversight: public chooses them and can hold them accountableLegal Approach to EthicsCourts have helped to define ethical values in public administration by creating a legal regime
Internalized by public administratorsPresidential Oath: To preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States of AmericaUphold Constitutional law and its values
Per the courts, public administrators can legally disobey unconstitutional lawsProtection in whistle blowing situations
The legal approach sees the Rule of Law as a standard for ethical conduct
Legal approach uses independent counsels and investigators against the government when necessary
Law must be clear and consistently enforcedNew Public Management (NPM) Approach to EthicsSees ethical safeguards advocated by managerial approach as impediments to cost-effective government
Favors external oversight of the bureau by the legislature
Opposes much internal oversightEmployees can be trusted, let them do their jobThe majority of government workers are not corruptLack of trust binds employees in rules that undermines their initiative and entrepreneurialismToo much focus on rules
The ethical view of the NPM is based on trust government should trust the people including its own employees
US Constitutional checks and balances devised because of awareness of self-interest and corruption
NPM view is very different from this
Effort to Prevent CorruptionControls on Government OrganizationsExternalInternalFormalJudiciaryOmbudsmanLegislatureAgency head/inspector generalWhistle-blower statutesInformalCitizen participationInterest group representationMediaProfessional codesRepresentative bureaucracyPublic interestEthical analysisRelationshipsControlsFramework for analyzing controls on Government OrganizationsDiagram: The development of Anti-Corruption Laws in MalaysiaNote: An Example of Combating Corruption Initiatives in MalaysiaSources: http://ideas.org.my/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Anti-Corruption-Initiatives-Nov-2012.pdfDiagram: The development of Anti-Corruption Agency in MalaysiaNote: An Example of Combating Corruption Initiatives in MalaysiaSources: http://ideas.org.my/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Anti-Corruption-Initiatives-Nov-2012.pdfThank You
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