Assignment Personal Code Of Ethics Essayfor This Assignment You Will ✓ Solved

Assignment: Personal Code of Ethics Essay For this assignment, you will refine your personal code of ethics. Include 4-5 tenets drawn from course readings and other sources. Your code will include a) an explanation and justification of each tenet; b) a description of why this is an important tenet for a public administrator and c) a discussion of challenges that would arise in complying with the code, i.e., circumstances that would make it hard to follow each tenet of the code. For example, if one of your tenets is “to serve the public justly†you would need to: 1. describe if that is a deontological, teleological, or virtues-based ethical tenet and describe why (include citations!); 2. discuss why this is an important tenet for a public administrator; 3. describe challenges with enforcing this tenet.

Also, think of situations where it may be necessary to violate this tenet and what that might look like. This essay should be 4-5 pages, double spaced. Please review the grading rubric associated with this assignment. See How do I view the rubric for this assignment? (Links to an external site.) Please also view this video with additional instructions: Video Walk-Through (Links to an external site.) (this video was filmed during a separate semester, but the content remains the same - refer to the syllabus for the weight of the assignment and other relevant instructions). This assignment must be submitted with Turnitin.

Please review How to submit a Turnitin Assignment and how to review the Grademark comments (feedback) from your professor. Here are some tips for organization: · INTRODUCTION · Briefly introduce your 4 to 5 tenets and what you will be discussing in the paper. · TENET 1 Introduce your tenet here (e.g. Justice, Honesty, etc…) Describe if this tenet is deontological (duty-based); teleological (consequence-based), or virtuebased and WHY (use sources here) Discuss why this is an important tenet for a public administrator Describe challenges with enforcing this tenet – use sources here as needed Discuss situations where it may be necessary to violate this tenet and what that might look like Transition sentence into the next tenet. · Repeat the above steps for Tenets 2-5. · CONCLUSION · End the paper with a conclusion.

Summarize what you have learned. · REFERENCES · List your references here in APA format. · Be sure to proofread and to cite your sources! Data/PresetImageFill5-28.jpg Data/PresetImageFill2-25.jpg Data/PresetImageFill4-27.jpg Data/PresetImageFill0-23.jpg Data/PresetImageFill1-24.jpg Data/PresetImageFill3-26.jpg Data/bullet_gbutton_gray-29.png Index/Document.iwa Index/ViewState.iwa Index/CalculationEngine.iwa Index/DocumentStylesheet.iwa Index/AnnotationAuthorStorage.iwa Index/DocumentMetadata.iwa Index/Metadata.iwa Metadata/Properties.plist Metadata/DocumentIdentifier A2EDD48E-EBFA-406F-B69FF6A6E4 Metadata/BuildVersionHistory.plist docx M10.3.9-7029.9.8-4 preview.jpg preview-micro.jpg preview-web.jpg Readings & Videos: Week 8 - Challenges to the Ethical Behavior of Public Administrators Challenges to the Ethical Behavior of Public Administrators Please note this is Week 8, the videos were completed before the schedule was changed.

Week 7 Introduction (Links to an external site.) Videos Wk 1 - Obstacles to Moral Behavior (Links to an external site.) What Makes Unethical Behavior Contagious? (Links to an external site.) Concepts Unwrapped | Cognitive Dissonance (Links to an external site.) Ethics Defined: Corruption (Links to an external site.) Concepts Unwrapped | Implicit Bias (Links to an external site.) Ethics Defined: Rationalizations (Links to an external site.) Ethics Defined: Self-Serving Bias (Links to an external site.) Ethics Defined: Obedience to Authority (Links to an external site.) Readings The two below articles will serve as a good guide or your paper this week, it also reinforces those topics covered in the videos above: · Dornsife - Obstacles to Moral Decision-Making.pdf Actions · Unavoidable Ethical Dilemmas for Public Officials (Links to an external site.) The following article is interesting in terms of reflecting on how systemic corruption presents a dilemma in terms of what actions we have taken to address is: · When Does Politicians' Unethical Behavior Become a Crime?

Paper for above instructions

Personal Code of Ethics Essay

Introduction

In the realm of public administration, ethical conduct is paramount. Public administrators are tasked with serving diverse communities, and their decisions can profoundly impact society. To navigate the complexities of public service, I have developed a personal code of ethics comprising five key tenets: justice, honesty, accountability, respect, and transparency. Each tenet is essential for guiding behavior and ensuring integrity in public administration. In this essay, I will delve into each tenet, discussing its framework, importance, challenges in adhering to it, and potential scenarios where it may be difficult to uphold.

Tenet 1: Justice

Justice embodies the principle of fairness and equity. It can be categorized as a deontological ethical tenet, which posits that actions are inherently right or wrong, regardless of their consequences (Kant, 1998). For public administrators, justice is crucial in promoting equal treatment and safeguarding the rights of all citizens, as it fosters trust between public institutions and the communities they serve (Long, 2015).
However, upholding justice can pose several challenges. For example, systemic inequalities can complicate fair policy implementation, leading officials to make decisions that inadvertently favor one group over another (Martin, 2018). Furthermore, there may be occasions when public administrators must prioritize limited resources over equitable distribution, causing tension between the ideal of justice and practical considerations.
Situations where justice may be compromised include instances of budget constraints, where crucial services may be inadequately funded, leading to unequal access for marginalized communities. In these contexts, public administrators may find themselves in morally ambiguous situations, wrestling with the consequences of their decisions.

Tenet 2: Honesty

Honesty is the adherence to the truth and maintaining integrity in communication. This ethical tenet is often regarded as virtue-based, emphasizing character qualities that enhance ethical behavior (Kernis & Goldman, 2006). For public administrators, honesty is vital in building public trust and ensuring transparency in government operations.
The challenge of maintaining honesty arises when administrators face pressure from constituents or superiors to present favorable outcomes or manipulate data to secure funding or support (Garnett, 2018). In some cases, misleading information may seem harmless, but it can erode public trust and create long-lasting damage to institutional credibility.
Moreover, a public administrator may grapple with the dilemma of disclosing information that could incite public panic or backlash. For instance, in situations related to public health crises, a balance must be struck between honest communication and managing public fear.

Tenet 3: Accountability

Accountability entails taking responsibility for one’s actions and decisions. This tenet is grounded in teleological ethics, where the outcomes of an action are weighed against its ethical implications (Harris, 2014). Public administrators must be accountable to their constituents, ensuring that they act in the public's best interests and uphold governmental integrity.
However, challenges arise when public administrators face competing priorities, such as political pressures or bureaucratic red tape. In a highly politicized environment, it is not uncommon for administrators to sidestep accountability to protect themselves or their organizations from scrutiny (Menzel, 2017).
An illustrative case might involve a city administrator who neglects to disclose a funding shortfall to avoid criticism. Such actions, while possibly seen as self-preservation, undermine the principles of accountability and can lead to severe ramifications in governance.

Tenet 4: Respect

Respect signifies the recognition of individuals' inherent worth and dignity. This principle is deeply rooted in virtue ethics, which emphasizes the importance of moral character (Hursthouse, 1999). For public administrators, showing respect to both colleagues and constituents fosters a collaborative environment conducive to effective governance and community engagement.
Nonetheless, challenges arise when public administrators encounter diverse perspectives and possibly conflicting cultures within their constituencies. Misunderstandings or biases may lead to lapses in respectful interactions (Mckay, 2016).
For instance, a public administrator leading a community meeting may face challenges in respecting culturally sensitive issues that are brought to light. The necessity of maintaining an inclusive atmosphere can sometimes conflict with the administrator’s personal beliefs or biases. Moreover, maintaining respect can be more difficult when engaging with difficult or hostile constituents, leading to scenarios where professional detachment is tested.

Tenet 5: Transparency

Transparency involves the open disclosure of information related to governance and decision-making processes. This tenet is typically associated with the principles of accountability and democratic governance (Bovens, 2007). Transparency ensures that public officials are answerable to the public, which in turn fosters civic trust and participation.
Despite its significance, achieving transparency can be challenging due to bureaucratic inertia or the desire to shield the public from sensitive information (Bertot, Jaeger, & Grimes, 2010). The administrative discretion exercised in deciding what information to disclose can lead to ethical dilemmas, especially in instances where the withholding of information might be aimed at protecting the public from potential harm.
For example, public administrators might face pressure to reserve critical assessments regarding the safety of public infrastructure to avoid panic or loss of public confidence. Striking a balance between protecting the public and being transparent can often lead to conflicts where the tenet of transparency might be compromised.

Conclusion

In summary, developing a personal code of ethics is not only essential for guiding the behavior of public administrators but is also integral to ensuring the public's trust and democratic governance. The tenets of justice, honesty, accountability, respect, and transparency provide a framework for ethical conduct that reflects the values public administrators should embody. While challenges present themselves in adhering to these tenets, awareness of potential dilemmas allows for conscious ethical decision-making. Ultimately, fostering a commitment to ethical principles within public administration contributes to the effectiveness and legitimacy of public institutions.

References

- Bertot, J. C., Jaeger, P. T., & Grimes, J. M. (2010). The role of social media in the public sector: A survey of social media use in federal, state, and local government. Government Information Quarterly, 27(3), 266-272.
- Bovens, M. (2007). Analyzing and Assessing Public Accountability: A Conceptual Framework. European Governance Papers (EURO-GOV) No. C-07-01.
- Garnett, J. (2018). Ethical dilemmas in public service: Why honesty is critical for public administrators. Public Administration Review, 78(2), 205-208.
- Harris, H. (2014). The Ethical Dimension of Public Administration. Public Integrity, 16(1), 53-69.
- Hursthouse, R. (1999). Ethics, Humans and Other Animals: An Introduction. Cambridge University Press.
- Kant, I. (1998). Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals. Cambridge University Press.
- Kernis, M. H., & Goldman, B. M. (2006). A multicomponent conceptualization of authenticity: Theory and measurement. Journal of Personality Assessment, 86(3), 261-272.
- Long, S. (2015). Justice and public service ethics: An examination of core principles. Review of Public Personnel Administration, 35(1), 32-50.
- Martin, J. (2018). Understanding systemic inequity in public policy. Policy Studies Review, 35(2), 155-177.
- Menzel, D. C. (2017). Public administration ethics as a field of inquiry. Journal of Public Affairs Education, 23(3), 487-501.
- Mckay, S. (2016). Cultivating respect in public administration. Public Administration Review, 76(5), 738-747.