Politics & ethics in governance Hcpm workshop august 2017

What is ethics? A set of moral values Standards of conduct A guiding philosophy What is ethics?

terminology See pages 4 – 9 Difference between morals and values Values linked to a belief system to differentiate right from wrong Values Core beliefs (that which is valuable)

Deontological Theory From the Greek word “deon” meaning “duty” Deontologists believer people perform actions which have consequences We have a duty to consider our actions and how they will affect others Actions will either be right or wrong

Deontological Theory Deontologists believe we have a duty to do certain things and a duty not to do other things Deontologists are not concerned with what good may result from an action – they look at the action itself and ask is it right or wrong?

Deontological Theory Right and Good Right has to do with actions Good has to do with outcomes Deontologists feel that right is the only consideration

The problems with deontological theory It is hard to make what you intend into a rule and then apply it to everyone You don’t always know what is intended Deontology ignores feelings and emotions Consequences do matter

Categories of ethics Normative ethics – the study of ethical action The questions that arise when considering how we ought to act, morally speaking

Categories of ethics Descriptive ethics – the study of people’s beliefs about morality

Categories of ethics Meta-ethics – the study of the nature of ethical properties, statements, attitudes & judgments

Categories of ethics Applied ethics – the study of particular issues that are matters of moral judgment

The public manager Ethical and well trained public managers in most cases ensure well-functioning institutions and systems Mancosa study guide pg 18

The public manager Public managers need to know the basic principles and standards they are expected to apply to their work and where the boundaries of acceptable behaviour lie Mancosa study guide pg 19

The tools Statement of core ethical standards – Code of Conduct Legal framework – laws and regulations Professional socialisation – training Guidance and internal consultation - procedures

Guidance to public servants Clear ethical standards 1 Ethical standards reflected in the legal framework 2 Ethical guidance available to all employees 3 Employees must be aware of their rights and duties when exposing wrongdoing 4

Ethical values in the public sector Respect for democracy Respect for people Integrity Stewardship Excellence

Ethical values in the public sector See examples on pages 28 and 29

Ethical values in legislation Public Service Act & Regulations Prevention & Combatting of Corrupt Activities Act Prevention of Organised Crime Act Protected Disclosures Act Financial Intelligence Centre Act Promotion of Administrative Justice Act Public Finance Management Act

Ethical values in legislation Impact of foreign laws Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (USA) The FIFA example Bribery Act (UK) Allows prosecution of any person with links to UK regardless of where alleged crime occurred

Ethical conflict Private financial interest sufficient to influence or appear to influence exercise of public duties Overt or covert use of government position for private gain See pages 38-39 for examples of unethical behaviour

Code of ethics Sets out the minimum standards of behaviour expected Personal buy-in Can make a condition of employment

Code of ethics Personal responsibility Compliance with the law Relations with the public Limitations Avoid conflict of interest Limit political activity Financial conduct Confidentiality Use of public resources Private purchases Work environment

Politics, state, government & social order Structure of a social order Status groups Values & norms Power & authority Spontaneous order Social honour

State and government Immaterial & non-physical social object The state Government Immaterial & non-physical social object Organised political community under one government A group of people Is representative of the State Is the administrative bureaucracy that controls the State at a particular point in time

Question 3 – read pages 61-62 and 68-69 Question 4 – read pages 29-35 Assignment Question 2 – read pages 18-21 Question 3 – read pages 61-62 and 68-69 Question 4 – read pages 29-35