Codes of Ethics: Changes to Public Administration



Codes of Ethics: Changes to Public Administration

Introduction

There have always been changes in the legislation and code of ethics in different departments and organizations in order to meet the challenges and requirements of time. Therefore, with the passage of time, there is major shift in the traditional ways of administering public and the process has become more complex (Lascoumes & LeGales; Bosivert & Brodueur cited by Conteh & Roberge, 2013). There are also various changes in the codes of ethics for the profession of city manager from the original in 1924 to 2004 (Eskridge et al, 2012). Changes in these codes have resulted in changing the perceptions of the practice of public administration at the local government level. Ethics is complex system or set of rules or code of conduct, based on moral, social, cultural, and behavioral aspects (Paliwal, 2006). The ICMA code of ethics was first implemented in 1924, in order to deal with different issues and concerns related with public administration ethics. With the passage of time and with concern in the basic principles in these codes of ethics, there were some amendments made in May 1998. It was successfully adopted by the ICMA chief executive board in 1972, and since then it was successfully served as the guide for code of ethics in public administration. This ICMA code of ethics is then recently revised in July 2004.

Discussion

The ICMA is associated with local governance management concerns by developing and fostering professional local government management system all over the world. It is based on principles to ensure that there is democratic and efficient system of local governance in public administration. Under the democratic system, the system is organized and maintained by the elected officials, who are bound to perform their duties in order to achieve goals of organization as trusted public servants. It is also responsibility of these officials to maintain a constructive, creative, and practical attitude toward local government affairs. In order to perform their duties and responsibilities more efficiently, these officials are provided with complete information and guidelines in order to ensure that they must perform responsibilities with sincerity and honesty. This is the reason that there are many changes in order to ensure accountability and transparency in the public administration and to ensure good governance.

Review of Principals and Guidelines to the Government Officials

There are some basic guidelines for the government official for accountability and good governance in performing their duties towards public:

Dedication: it is very essential to be dedicated as it is very essential for integrity, public trust, respect, and confidence in these government officials.

Public Confidence: to maintain public confidence is very important as public confidence in these government officials means public confidence in government.

There is also need to put impression that member cannot be influenced in the performance of their official duties, by any means. It is very important to prevent corruption in the public administration.

Commitment to Report: It is also very essential for these ...