The Scope and Method of Implementing Civil Service Ethics: A Taiwanese Case Study with International Comparison*
Hsiu-Chuan Tsai,** Don-Yun Chen***
Abstract
The political democratization in Taiwan has been hailed as the “second miracle” following the economic miracle that began in the 1960s. However, more and more reports about corruption in government have led Taiwanese to think twice on the second miracle. As a result, the ethical quality of the new democracy has become the focus of democratic consolidation in the future. In this paper, we first review the importance, legal implications, and principle of civil service ethics framework. It is vital to sustaining democratic institutions in a new democracy such as Taiwan. From a forward looking perspective, implanting the public service ethic framework means transforming Taiwanese government from authoritarian into democratic governance. Secondly, we use Canada, Germany, Japan, Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States as comparing countries to illustrate the development of civil service ethical framework, which includes the target group, core values, procedural & codified level, regulating standards, and organizational arrangements. We find that while there are diverse ways to implement civil service ethics, the aim -- to improve the ethic underpinning of governance -- is the same for all nations. Lastly, we compare current Taiwanese public service ethic framework with these six countries and suggest that (1) Taiwan needs a unified law on public service ethics; (2) Traditional administrative ethics should be replaced by public service ethics; (3) Political neutrality and activities should be emphasized; (4) The “revolving door” doctrine should be enforced; (5) Reconsider the organizational level of the Agency against Corruption; and (6) Keep promoting public service ethic education.
Keywords: public service, legal code of ethics, democratic governance, administrative ethics, public service ethics
* Earlier version of this paper was presented at the 2012 Conference of Justice Society and Integrity Government.
** Paper correspondent, associate professor at the Department of Political Science, Soochow University, e-mail: sutsai.joy@msa.hinet.net; sutsaijoyjoy@yahoo.com.tw.
*** Professor at the Department of Public Administration, National Chengchi University, e-mail: donc@nccu.edu.tw.