Administrative Ethics: A Concept of Integrated Public Governance
Lancelot Lu*
Abstract
The primary goal of civic service reform proposed by the Examination Yuan is the establishment of administrative ethic system with supportive organizational culture. The paper is to argue, while attempting to integrate core values into an administrative ethic system, lacking of focus in the field of administrative ethic is an undeniable truth, either in the United State or in Taiwan. The argument is to challenge the three fundamental assumptions for the reform proposal. Being a rational actor, civic servants need a prudent guidance to direct their ethical behavior as well as decision in a web of diverse social relationships. This requirement for situational consideration in ethic dilemma is certainly not sufficient for an ethic code or lawful system. Two suggestions are made to solve those problems. First, case studies for guidance are recommended for teaching multiple perspectives of civic servants on administrative ethics. Secondly, there is a need for an integrated model of public governance for civic servants as a collaborative mechanism with diverse social players.
Keywords: administrative ethic, integrated public governance, social Relationship.
*Full-time Associate Professor, Department of Business Innovation & Development, Mingdao University, Taiwan.