Title

Character ethics and the transformation of governance

Abstract

A focus on character ethics has the power to transform public admirtstration, and transform governance as we know it. Virtue demands of us many things that professionalism, efficiency, effectiveness, and ordinary bureaucratic practices do not. It requires that we be perceptive and discerning, and that we have a predisposition to make judgments and act with courage. Focusing on character ethics would transform governance because a public service characterized by virtue and the attending fundamental respect for the dignity and worth of others, would not deny the public their rightful role in self-governance. A virtuous public servant will be an enabling and empowering force in our institutions of governance, helping reinvigorate civic virtue among both public administrators and the general citizenry. But if an ethic of character is to take hold in public administration, we need to design organizational environments and management practices more conducive to the development of virtuous habits. © 1994, Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. All rights reserved.

Publication Date

1-1-1994

Publication Title

International Journal of Public Administration

Volume

17

Issue

12

Number of Pages

2165-2193

Document Type

Article

Identifier

scopus

Personal Identifier

scopus

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.1080/01900699408524987

Socpus ID

84963197413 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/84963197413

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