,

I
CHAPTER
4

THE ETHICS OF PUBLIC

SERVICE
So far we have focused on the context of public administrationthe
values, structures, and relationships you need to understand to act
effectively and responsibly in public organizations. Nov we begin a
transition to more skill-based issues by exploring the ethical issues
raised in public service. An ethical posture toward work in public
right. You mustrequires
be prepared
organizations
not only knowing the right answers, but being
toOver
act. the last several decades, there has been a growing interest in
ethical issues in public organizations. A series of cover stories in
Time asked the question "What ever happened to ethics?" The articles
commented on ethical dilemmas in business, education, and even
religion, but gave special attention to the ethics of those in
government. In one article, Sissela Bok, a philosophy professor at
Brandeis University, stressed that moral leadership must come first
from those in public office. "Aristotle said that people in government
dishonest,
teaches,
too" (Time,
exercise
a that
teaching
function.
AmongMay
other things, we see what they
25,Certainly
1987). the concerns Bok and others expressed about the ethical
behavior of public officials have been triggered by such dramatic public
events as Watergate and the Iran-Contra scandal. But in fact, ethical
issues permeate public organizations as they do all organizations. Every
action of every public officialwhether in the formulation or
implementation of public policycarries value implications. Given this
situation,
that statesitand
is localities
not surprising
acrossthat
the country
both President
have struggled
Bush and
mightily
President
As ethical
a public
manager, you will often face difficult ethical choices.
with
concerns.
These choices may present themselves in several ways. "Dilemmas
arise for decision makers when responsibilities conflict, when the
obligations they undertake or the rules to which they are subject are
unclear, or when they are unsure how to weigh their responsibilities
against personal needs or desires" (Fleishman Sc Payne, 1980, p. 17).
Understanding the moral implications of your actions and resolving the
dilemmas they pose is one of the most difficult problems you will face
working
in the
public sector.
Consequently,
ability
to understand
fashion will
be essential
to your
success (and your
your own
sense
of
In this well-being).
chapter we examine a variety of ethical issues faced by public
personal
managers. Some involve concerns that might arise in any organization
cases
lying, cheating,
or stealing,
orofquestions
about what
to do when you feel compelled to refuse an
order from your boss. Others are more directly connected to the special
values that underlie public service, involving the relationship between
political leaders and career civil servants or between competing
demands for efficiency and responsiveness.
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