Ethics Problems in the New Public Service: Back to a Service Ethic?. (4th May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rauh, Jonathan
• Is Part Of: Public integrity. Volume 20:Number 3(2018)
• Page Start: 234
• Page End: 256
• Publication Date: 2018-05-04
• Subjects: bureaucracy -- New Public Service -- service ethic -- teamwork -- values; Civil service ethics -- United States -- Periodicals; Public administration -- Moral and ethical aspects -- United States -- Periodicals; Political ethics -- United States -- Periodicals; Civil service ethics -- Periodicals; Public administration -- Moral and ethical aspects -- Periodicals; Political ethics -- Periodicals; Civil service ethics; Political ethics; Public administration -- Moral and ethical aspects; United States; PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION; CIVIL SERVICE; MORAL ASPECTS; POLITICAL ETHICS; Periodicals; 172
• DOI: 10.1080/10999922.2017.1381541
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1099-9922

Abstract

Abstract : This article argues that ethical compliance under the New Public Service presents a number of challenges not readily addressed under the ethical considerations of traditional public administration or the New Public Management. Specifically, citizens have limited capacity as coproducers aside from the traditional democratic role of service requests. Team production problems can arise under such coproductive arrangements that incentivize either shirking or rent-seeking behaviors. These problems, while certainly ethical, have structural priors that must be addressed before a solution can be pursued. The article argues that structural elements are addressed in the changing relationship between the bureaucracy and elected authority, but that a solution to the remaining ethical issues is found in a return to the service ethic.