CORRECTIVES FOR DISHONEST AND UNFAIR PUBLIC ADMINISTRATORS

• NCJ Number: 65437
• Journal: Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science Volume: 363 Dated: (JANUARY 1966) Pages: 23-27
• Author(s): B BOLLES
• Date Published: 1966
• Length: 5 pages
• Corporate Author: American Academy of Political and Social Science
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THIS ARTICLE ON SAFEGUARDING HONESTY IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT STATES THAT INSTEAD OF PLACING RESTRICTIONS ON THE BUREAUCRACY, OTHER CORRECTIVE MEASURES WOULD BE MORE EFFECTIVE.

Abstract

AFTER A PERIOD OF BLATANT DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICES DURING THE POSTWAR YEARS, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF PRESIDENTS KENNEDY AND JOHNSON INITIATED AN ATTEMPT AT REFORM. THE MOST FAR REACHING EXERCISE OF RESTRAINTS ON THE BEHAVIOR OF CIVIL SERVANTS WAS A RULING BY THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION THAT EACH DEPARTMENT AND AGENCY PRESCRIBE STANDARDS OF ETHICAL CONDUCT FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES COVERING SUCH MATTERS AS ACCEPTANCE OF GIFTS, ENTERTAINMENT AND FAVORS, OUTSIDE EMPLOYMENT, TEACHING AND WRITING, AND THE USE OF GOVERNMENT INFORMATION FOR PRIVATE GAIN. THESE REGULATIONS WERE DESIGNED TO SAFEGUARD THE CIVIL SERVANT FROM TEMPTATION, YET THE PROBABLE SUBCONSCIOUS REASON FOR IMPOSING SUCH PROHIBITIONS WAS NOT SO MUCH TO PREVENT DISHONESTY AS TO GIVE THE IMPRESSION THAT IT WAS BEING PREVENTED. THE EFFECTIVE WAY OF LIMITING DISHONESTY AND UNFAIRNESS IS TO ADMINISTER THE POLITICAL PROGRAMS OF THE VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES WITH SUCH VIGOR AND CLARITY OF PURPOSE THAT ADMINISTRATORS INVOLVED WOULD SEE THE OPPORTUNITY TO FULFILL THIER INTERESTS IN CONTRIBUTING THIER TOTAL CAPABILITIES TO THE TASK. THIS ATTITUDE MUST ORIGINATE WIIT THE PRESIDENT AS SUCH A PROGRAM MUST BE DERIVED FROM EXAMPLE AND LEADERSHIP. OTHER EFFECTIVE CORRECTIVES ARE VIGOR AND CLARITY IN SETTING FORTH THE GOALS OF GOVERNMENT POLICY, PERSISTENT WITHIN GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, SWIFT LEGAL ACTION WHEN A DISHONEST ACT IS UNCOVERED, AND SWIFT ADMINISTRATIVE RETRIBUTION WHEN AN ACT OF UNFAIRNESS IS UNCOVERED. IF THESE CORRECTIVES WERE IMPLEMENTED, THE PUBLIC INTEREST IN GOVERNMENT EQUALITY AND EFFECTIVENESS WOULD BE DEFENDED AND THE DIGNITY OF THE CIVIL SERVANT PRESERVED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED - MJW).