Ethics of public servants

Type :

Term papers

Pages :

5 pages

Format :

.doc

Published date :

07/28/2009

Category :

Law & contracts

Sub category :

Administrative law

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Summary :

Introduction
Issuing of Ethical Principles for Public Servants
Political accountability
The idea for the President of the United States
President George W. Bush's instruction
Plame's identity
The show of integrity firing Rove
The threat of 'retaliation' against the administration
Conclusion
References

Abstract

Federal elected officials, appointed political officials and civil service officials are held to a separate standard for their behavior. These people are chosen by the American public and by other officials to serve at their behest. What commonly unites elected and non-elected officials is that their actions should all be held to a high standard of ethics; these people are elected or selected as those who are most capable of serving the public. These standards come from common notions of ethical behavior as well as a creed of ethical principles for true civil servants. When these people have been elected or selected, they should have already met these standards. However, it is well known that bad decisions can be made and corruption can ensue. The most recent example of this happening is in the current administration where a CIA leak occurred. A look into the actions of major players in the scandal will reveal the ethical nature of their behaviors.

Ideally, all government officials should abide by a set of high caliber ethics. In 1992, the Council for Excellence in Government, which strives to improve government at all levels, issued Ethical Principles for public servants that true public servants should abide by. Among the set of virtues a true public servant should have are that they will "respect the competence and view of others", "contribute to a climate of mutual trust and respect" and "unflinchingly accept responsibility" (Council for Excellence in Government 1998). The rest of this creed announces other qualities that a public servant should have.