Reflection on Administrative Ethics, Essay Example

Chapter’s 6 and 7 of James Svara’s The Ethics Primer discuss and examine the challenges of ethical behavior in public administration as well as the types of analysis and problem solving methods that can be take when administrators and employees “undermine duty.” Svara says that not all people “develop a capacity for independent, ethical reasoning based on universal values,” therefore certain techniques have been put in place to try to further understand and identify those who participate in unethical behavior and why they choose to do so (2014, p. 106). The types of unethical people/situations focus on bad people, decent people who make unethical decisions and circumstances that put people in positions to make unethical choices (Svara, 2014, 0. 106).

Out of all of the aspects examined in the text and based on the readings to date, I think that the most prevalent type of behavior seen in government and administrative positions is what the text calls “grass-eaters.” This type of person is defined as those who “accept gratitudes and solicit small bribes from contractors, truckers, gamblers, and such” (108). They are also described as the type of people who exploit the low rick of detection, therefore benefiting at the expense of others (Svara, 2014, p. 109). This is why, as the text states, that it is important to make sure “provisions are in place to protect those in need or at risk of exploitation” (Svara, 2014, 109-111).

I also think that shortcomings and context contribute a great deal to the unethical choices that are often seen in public administrators (Svara, 2014, p. 112). Specifically, those who see themselves in a position of superiority or that the “ends justifies the means” as reasons to act unethically (Svara, 2014, pp. 112-113). Also important to note are those who are cynical about their positions or organizations and do not have a commitment to the public or a sense of duty (Svara, 2014, p. 119).

In response to cases of ethical wrongdoing, it is essential to apply analysis and problem solving strategies to promote ethical behavior and to determine what actions to take (Svara, 2014, pp. 131-133). This means that those is leadership roles must be aware and ready to take rational and reasonable action in case employees are engaged in illegal or unethical behavior.

References

Svara, J. H. (2014). The ethics primer for public administrators in government and nonprofit organizations. Jones & Bartlett Publishers.