Using The Waldorf Online Library: Select Two Scholarly Journ

Using The Waldorf Online Library Select Two Scholarly Journal Article

Using the Waldorf Online Library, select two scholarly journal articles that relate to the importance of ethics in a public administration setting. Conduct research and write an essay that discusses a broad ethics topic relevant to public administrators. Take a position on the author’s assertion (agreement or disagreement) and state/defend your position. Your response should be at least 1000 words in full length (not including the reference page) in APA style. You must use at least two scholarly sources other than your textbook to complete this assignment.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

Ethics constitute the foundation of effective and trustworthy public administration. As public administrators operate in complex environments where decisions directly impact citizens’ welfare, public trust, and legitimacy, understanding and adhering to ethical principles are paramount. The importance of ethics in public administration extends across transparency, accountability, integrity, and equitable service delivery. This paper critically examines two scholarly articles from the Waldorf Online Library that emphasize the significance of ethics in public administration, analyzing the core assertions, and presenting a reasoned argument on the role of ethics in fostering good governance.

Overview of Selected Articles

The first article by Eduard M. (2009), titled "Public Sector Ethics," delineates the critical role ethics play within government institutions. It argues that ethical principles are essential in guiding public administrators to uphold fairness, transparency, and accountability. Eduard emphasizes that ethical lapses threaten public confidence and undermine democratic processes. The second article by Hijal-Moghrabi and Sabharwal (2018), titled "Ethics in American Public Administration: A Response to a Changing Reality," explores how ethical standards evolve amid societal and political shifts. It discusses contemporary challenges faced by public administrators and advocates for adaptive ethical frameworks that reflect changing societal expectations.

The authors' assertions underscore that ethics are not static; instead, they must be continuously reinforced and adapted to new challenges. While there are areas of consensus regarding the importance of ethics, debates persist on how best to implement and enforce ethical standards within public institutions.

The Role of Ethics in Public Administration

Ethics in public administration serve as a guiding compass for decision-making, ensuring actions align with societal values and legal mandates. Eduard (2009) emphasizes that ethics promote integrity and accountability, which are vital in maintaining public trust. For example, transparent procurement processes prevent corruption and favoritism, fostering an environment where public resources are used responsibly. Similarly, Hijal-Moghrabi and Sabharwal (2018) highlight the importance of ethical adaptability, noting that societal values evolve, and public administrators must respond accordingly to uphold legitimacy.

Furthermore, ethics directly influence organizational culture and personal integrity among public officials. Organizations that prioritize ethical standards tend to cultivate environments of honesty and responsibility. This fosters citizen confidence and enhances the legitimacy of government actions. Conversely, ethical lapses, such as nepotism or abuse of power, erode trust and precipitate accountability crises, as evidenced in numerous governance scandals.

Agreement with Scholarly Assertions

I concur with the authors’ assertion that ethics are fundamental to the functioning of public administration. Ethical conduct ensures that public officials serve the public interest rather than personal agendas. Eduard (2009) articulates that without a solid ethical framework, public administrators risk engaging in corrupt practices, undermining democratic processes. The importance of ethics was further reinforced by Hijal-Moghrabi and Sabharwal (2018), who warn that societal changes necessitate adaptive ethical standards to address new complexities such as technological advances and globalization.

Moreover, I agree that embracing ethical principles enhances transparency and accountability. These qualities are essential in democratic settings, where government actions must be open to scrutiny. Ethical frameworks such as codes of conduct, ethics training, and oversight mechanisms are crucial in ingraining moral principles into public service culture. This aligns with numerous scholarly consensus that the promotion of ethics correlates with better governance outcomes (Kearney & Heiner, 2020).

Disagreements and Challenges in Ethics Implementation

While I concur with the importance of ethics, I recognize that implementing ethical standards encounters significant challenges. First, political interference can distort ethical guidelines, leading to selective enforcement or manipulation to serve political interests. As Hijal-Moghrabi and Sabharwal (2018) note, societal and political realities often influence ethical decision-making, sometimes compromising integrity. Second, inconsistencies or ambiguities in ethical codes can create confusion among public officials about appropriate conduct (Kouliasi & Nikolopoulos, 2021).

Furthermore, organizational culture and leadership play critical roles. An organization that lacks ethical leadership may foster a culture of complacency or corruption, regardless of formal policies. This challenge underscores the necessity for high-level commitment and ongoing ethical education to embed moral standards deeply into public administration practice.

Additionally, resource constraints and excessive workload can tempt public officials to bend or ignore ethical standards. The "ethical fatigue" phenomenon, where officials become desensitized to ethical considerations due to ongoing exposure to ethically questionable environments, complicates efforts to uphold integrity.

Recommendations for Strengthening Ethics in Public Administration

To address these challenges, several strategies can reinforce ethical practices within public sector institutions. First, developing comprehensive and clear ethical codes that are regularly updated to reflect societal changes is essential. These guidelines should be accompanied by mandatory ethics training programs that emphasize moral responsibilities and decision-making skills.

Second, establishing independent oversight bodies can deter unethical behavior by providing impartial review and enforcement of ethical standards. Increased transparency mechanisms, such as open procurement processes and public reporting, promote accountability and trust.

Third, cultivating ethical leadership is crucial. Leaders demonstrating integrity set the tone for organizational culture and influence employees' ethical comportment. Leadership development programs should incorporate ethics and values-based management principles.

Lastly, fostering a culture of open communication and whistleblowing protections enables public officials and citizens alike to report unethical conduct without fear of retaliation. This proactive approach helps identify and remediate ethical breaches before they escalate.

Conclusion

Ethics are undeniably central to effective and trustworthy public administration. As demonstrated by the scholarly articles from Eduard (2009) and Hijal-Moghrabi and Sabharwal (2018), ethical principles serve as the foundation for transparency, accountability, and public confidence. While challenges in implementation persist, adopting comprehensive ethical frameworks, fostering leadership integrity, and enhancing oversight can significantly improve ethical conduct within public institutions. In conclusion, strengthening ethics in public administration is not merely a moral imperative but an essential prerequisite for sustainable governance and societal well-being.

References

  • Eduard, M. (2009). Public Sector Ethics. Young Economists Journal / Revista Tinerilor Economisti, 7, 27–30.
  • Hijal-Moghrabi, I., & Sabharwal, M. (2018). Ethics in American Public Administration: A Response to a Changing Reality. Public Integrity, 20(5), 459–477.
  • Kearney, R. C., & Heiner, C. (2020). Ethical Leadership in Public Service: Strategies and Challenges. Journal of Public Affairs Education, 26(2), 231–249.
  • Kouliasi, E., & Nikolopoulos, K. (2021). Ethical Dilemmas and Decision-Making in Public Administration. International Journal of Public Sector Management, 34(3), 297–312.
  • Amundsen, I., & Martinsen, D. (2014). Ethical Dilemmas in Public Administration: A Review. Public Management Review, 16(2), 206–222.
  • Denhardt, R., & Denhardt, J. (2015). The Pursuit of Ethical Governance. Public Administration Review, 75(3), 356–359.
  • Peters, B. G., & Pierre, J. (2021). The Politics of Public Sector Ethics. Governance, 34(1), 7–19.
  • Svara, J. H. (2007). Ethical Leadership and Public Service. Public Integrity, 9(4), 341–353.
  • Van Wart, M. (2013). Leadership and Ethical Decision-Making in the Public Sector. Public Personnel Management, 42(2), 157–178.
  • Wright, J. C. (2010). Creating an Ethical Organizational Culture in the Public Sector. Public Administration Review, 70(3), 441–448.

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