Transcript PPAS 4190 3.0 Ethics and the Public Service: Integrity and Democracy

PPAS 4190 3.0
Ethics and the Public Service:
Integrity and Democracy
Ian Greene
September 19, 2013
Course Outline
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Kernaghan and Langford text: $16
Greene and Shugarman text: $15
Let’s introduce new students
Revised course outline and assignments
Dates for group presentations
Web page: www.yorku.ca/igreene: powerpoints
Would you like a field trip to the office of the
Ontario Integrity Commissioner, Thursday, Oct 24
or Friday, Oct 25? (I will be in Calgary.)
Ethical Analysis
• Two approaches (from philosophy) to ethical
analysis:
– Consequentialist (similar to teleologists [telos: final
cause] or naturalists): judge an action by its likely
result. Eg. utilitarianism (greatest good for the
greatest number). Sometimes the means justifies the
end.
– Intentionalist (also called deontological [deon: duty]):
fundamental principles must be applied instead of
focusing on consequences. Eg., “do to others as you
would have them do to you.” Focus on the action, not
the result. Is the action morally justified? The end
does not justify the means. The rule is universal.
– Fortunately, these two approaches often lead to the
same conclusion as to the proper action in an ethical
dilemma.
Importance of Reasoning
• It is important to be able to justify a decision in relation to
an ethical dilemma. You may be asked why you chose a
particular action.
• You could do either an intentionalist analysis, or a
consequentialist analysis, or both, and then you can be
prepared to be accountable for your decision.
• If possible, it is useful to discuss your analysis with another
person, without violating privacy. Two heads are nearly
always better than one.
• Governments sometimes have trained “ethics counselors”
in each workplace whom you can bounce dilemmas off
confidentially. In Ontario, you can consult confidentially
with the Office of the Conflict of Interest Commissioner.
Greene & Shugarman, Ch 1
• Saskatchewan constituency communications fund
scandal 1995: all Conservative MLAs involved.
End of Sask Conservative party. Abuse of trust.
• RCMP “dirty tricks” 1970s: “dirty hands.”
• Both represent “corruption.”
• Ethical analysis provides way to work out
• Moral autonomy: autonomy in which individuals
are self-governing re morally relevant choices,
without being selfish.
Mutual Respect
• Democracy: equality and respect for all: mutual
respect.
• Dworkin: “individuals have a right to equal concern
and respect in the design and administation of the
political institutions that govern them. They possess
this right not b virtue of birth or characteristic or merit
or excellence but simply as human beings with the
capacity to make plans and give justice.”
• We owe the same consideration to others, when
making decisions that affect them, as we feel we are
owed when others make decisions that affect us.
• Mutual respect is the basic principle of democracy
Origins of mutual respect
• World religions: every human being is of
equal worth, equally deserving of respect.
(But religions, like politicians, can become
“corrupt,” and abandon principle to promote
organizational goals.)
• Philosophy of liberalism: evolution over 2
centuries. Liberalism, socialism, reform
liberalism, neo-conservatism and neoliberalism; current situation
Five principles of democracy
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Social equality
Deference to the majority
Minority rights
Freedom
– Freedom of expression
• Integrity
Responsible Public Servant, Ch 2
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Public Interest in the real world
Utility of the public interest
Public interest as an operational guide
Neutral service and avoidance of self-interest
Search for a synthesis
What can we conclude from all this?