Government’s Roles in Creating An Ethical Society Wenhao Cheng School of Public Policy & Management Tsinghua University June 16th, 2005 Hong Kong Wenhao Cheng School of Public Policy & Management Tsinghua University June 16th, 2005 Hong Kong

Why An Ethical Society?  A valuable platform for everyone  Political and Social Stability  Economic Development: transaction cost is low  Human development  A valuable platform for everyone  Political and Social Stability  Economic Development: transaction cost is low  Human development

What Is An Ethical Society?  Rule-based  Respects and rewards integrity, honesty and fair play  Can effectively identify, prevent and punish unethical behaviors  Can develop a sustainable integrity culture  Rule-based  Respects and rewards integrity, honesty and fair play  Can effectively identify, prevent and punish unethical behaviors  Can develop a sustainable integrity culture

How to Achieve An Ethical Society?  Each player should play a constructive role  Players should reinforce each other  An ethical government is the key  Each player should play a constructive role  Players should reinforce each other  An ethical government is the key

Government Businesses Citizens NGOs Ethical Society Cornerstones of An Ethical Society

Government Businesses Citizens NGOs Government: always at the center

An Ethical Government Is the Key  Government SHOULD be clean, ethical and accountable to the people  Role model and demonstration effect  If government fails to achieve integrity, it will also fail to check the behaviors of others  Government SHOULD be clean, ethical and accountable to the people  Role model and demonstration effect  If government fails to achieve integrity, it will also fail to check the behaviors of others

 Respecting and following the rules  Achieving a corruption-free public service system  Having transparent operations  Keeping its words  Honestly admitting its mistakes and paying all necessary costs  Respecting and following the rules  Achieving a corruption-free public service system  Having transparent operations  Keeping its words  Honestly admitting its mistakes and paying all necessary costs Government Should Take the Lead by

Government Businesses Citizens NGOs Government’s Role in Promoting the Integrity of Other Players

Government Should Assure that Businesses  Are clean in dealing with government  Obey laws on taxation, quality, environmental protection, etc.  Demonstrate strong social responsibilities  Are clean in dealing with government  Obey laws on taxation, quality, environmental protection, etc.  Demonstrate strong social responsibilities

Government Should Assure that NGOs  Have good governance structure  Are held accountable both to their members and to the public  Have transparent operations  Are not abusing public trust  Have good governance structure  Are held accountable both to their members and to the public  Have transparent operations  Are not abusing public trust

Government Should Assure that Citizens  Respect honesty and fair play  Respect and follow rules  Have strong commitment to public interests  Respect honesty and fair play  Respect and follow rules  Have strong commitment to public interests

Government should  Establish an effective credit system to prevent fraud and other unethical behaviors  Conduct integrity education for young people and professionals  Promote integrity culture within a society  Establish an effective credit system to prevent fraud and other unethical behaviors  Conduct integrity education for young people and professionals  Promote integrity culture within a society

Government Businesses Citizens NGOs Interactions of All Players

Government Businesses Citizens NGOs Ethical Society

What the Mainland Can Learn from the Success Stories of Hong Kong?  Clean and Accountable Government  Trade Associations’ active roles in promoting integrity within the industries  Corporate Social Responsibilities  Integrity Education and Culture  Clean and Accountable Government  Trade Associations’ active roles in promoting integrity within the industries  Corporate Social Responsibilities  Integrity Education and Culture

Thank you ！ Contact Information: 北京 清華大學公共管理學院 程文浩 Contact Information: 北京 清華大學公共管理學院 程文浩