Ethics
UNIT 21 ETHICAL CONCERNS IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
Structure 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 21.4 21.5 21.6 21.7 21.8 21.9 Learning Outcome Introduction Ethics: Meaning and Relevance Evolution of Ethical Concerns in Administration Context of Ethics and its Significance for Public Administration Issue of Ethics: Foci and Concerns Pertinence of a Code of Administrative Ethics Nature of Work Ethics Towards New Dimensions of Ethics Obstacles to Ethical Accountability
21.10 Future Perspective 21.11 Conclusion 21.12 Key Concepts 21.13 References and Further Reading 21.14 Activities
21.0 LEARNING OUTCOME
After reading this Unit, you will be able to: • • • • • Discuss the meaning of the term ‘ethics’ Bring out the evolution and context of ethics and relate it to public administration Throw light on the foci and concerns pertaining to the issue of ethics Understand the nature of work ethics and the necessity to evolve a Code of Ethics; and Analyse the obstacles to ethical accountability
21.1 INTRODUCTION
‘Ethics’ is a difficult term to define. The meaning, nature and scope of ethics have expanded in the course of time. ‘Ethics’ is integral to public administration. In public administration, ethics focuses on how the public administrator should question and reflect in order to be able to act responsibly. We cannot simply bifurcate the two by saying that ethics deals with morals and values, while public administration is about actions and decisions. Administering accountability and ethics is a difficult task. The 1
levels of ethics in governance are dependent on the social, economic, political, cultural, legal-judicial and historical contexts of the country. These specific factors influence ethics in public administrative systems. This Unit will discuss the meaning, evolution, foci and concerns of ethics. It will bring out the different dimensions of ethics and their relevance for public administration. The significance of an ethical code for administrators will be
Structure 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 21.4 21.5 21.6 21.7 21.8 21.9 Learning Outcome Introduction Ethics: Meaning and Relevance Evolution of Ethical Concerns in Administration Context of Ethics and its Significance for Public Administration Issue of Ethics: Foci and Concerns Pertinence of a Code of Administrative Ethics Nature of Work Ethics Towards New Dimensions of Ethics Obstacles to Ethical Accountability
21.10 Future Perspective 21.11 Conclusion 21.12 Key Concepts 21.13 References and Further Reading 21.14 Activities
21.0 LEARNING OUTCOME
After reading this Unit, you will be able to: • • • • • Discuss the meaning of the term ‘ethics’ Bring out the evolution and context of ethics and relate it to public administration Throw light on the foci and concerns pertaining to the issue of ethics Understand the nature of work ethics and the necessity to evolve a Code of Ethics; and Analyse the obstacles to ethical accountability
21.1 INTRODUCTION
‘Ethics’ is a difficult term to define. The meaning, nature and scope of ethics have expanded in the course of time. ‘Ethics’ is integral to public administration. In public administration, ethics focuses on how the public administrator should question and reflect in order to be able to act responsibly. We cannot simply bifurcate the two by saying that ethics deals with morals and values, while public administration is about actions and decisions. Administering accountability and ethics is a difficult task. The 1
levels of ethics in governance are dependent on the social, economic, political, cultural, legal-judicial and historical contexts of the country. These specific factors influence ethics in public administrative systems. This Unit will discuss the meaning, evolution, foci and concerns of ethics. It will bring out the different dimensions of ethics and their relevance for public administration. The significance of an ethical code for administrators will be