THE GOVERNMENT AND ETHICS

The Government and Ethics

The Government and Ethics

What is Ethics?

We often hear the term government ethics used in the media? and by politicians and political commentators - yet it isn't always clear what exactly is meant by this term. A useful way to approach the discussion is to begin by examining the word “ethics.” Generally speaking? ethics refers to the study of right and wrong behaviours. In our daily lives we are constantly faced with important questions about what to do. Should I keep my promise or should I not? Should I report a lost wallet? or simply keep the money inside? Should I give to the panhandler or keep my change? Ethics? as a field of study? attempts to find principles and rules for answering such questions.

Ethics refers to well based standards of right and wrong that prescribe what humans ought to do? usually in terms of rights? obligations? benefits to society? fairness? or specific virtues. Ethics? for example? refers to those standards that impose the reasonable obligations to refrain from rape? stealing? murder? assault? slander? and fraud. Ethical standards also include those that enjoin virtues of honesty? compassion? and loyalty. (Knight, 2004) And? ethical standards include standards relating to rights? such as the right to life? the right to freedom from injury? and the right to privacy. Such standards are adequate standards of ethics because they are supported by consistent and well founded reasons.

Secondly? ethics refers to the study and development of one's ethical standards. As mentioned above? feelings? laws? and social norms can deviate from what is ethical. So it is necessary to constantly examine one's standards to ensure that they are reasonable and well-founded. Ethics also means? then? the continuous effort of studying our own moral beliefs and our moral conduct? and striving to ensure that we? and the institutions we help to shape? live up to standards that are reasonable and solidly-based.

Ethics & Government

Government ethics refers to a particular professional code of conduct for those who work in and for government. Government ethics? therefore? involves rules and guidelines about right and wrong behaviours for a host of different groups? including elected leaders (such as the Prime Minister and Cabinet Ministers)? elected representatives (such as Members of Parliament)? political staff? and public servants. (Reagan, 2003)

These groups are faced with a variety of difficult and very unique ethical questions. Should a public official be able to hire his/her own company to work for the government? Should elected representatives be allowed to accept expensive gifts from lobby groups? When can a public official divulge personal information about citizens? How should public servants treat their co-workers and subordinates? Government ethics identifies what are correct behaviours in each of these situations and establishes rules of conduct for public officials to follow.

Role of Government Intervention in Environmental Issues

In environmental cases? a policy framework is sometimes more effective when there is less government intervention. As the level of government intervention diminishes? this allows more flexibility for corporations to achieve ...