Deck 13: Toward a Bureaucratic Ethic

Question 1

The first code of ethics was imposed on federal administrators in

A) 1958
B) 1978
C) 1992
D) 2001

Answer 1

A

Question 2

The first general code of state ethics was legislated in

A) 1947
B) 1954
C) 1968
D) 1980

Answer 2

B

Question 3

______________________ assures that public administrators will make decisions in the public interest.

A) Privatization
B) Presidential oversight
C) Institutional fairness
D) Bureaucratic accountability

Answer 3

D

Question 4

Organizational humanists argue that the primary value in public administration should be to

A) emphasize science, culture, and the arts
B) treat people fairly and humanely
C) provide the greatest good for the greatest number of citizens
D) make government more effective and efficient

Question 5

Which of the following philosophical perspectives posits that the primary role of public administration should be to focus on excellence in art, science, and culture by supporting society's elites?

A) perfectionism
B) intuitionism
C) humanism
D) utilitarianism

Question 6

The writings of Locke, Hobbes, Rousseau, and Rawls each contend that the public interest can be discerned by which of the following?

A) academic currency
B) a proper utility
C) principles of justice
D) institutional fairness

Question 7

The public interest is defined by ______________ in the courts.

A) majority vote
B) stare decisis
C) benevolence
D) normative theory

Question 8

According to your author, public administrators should keep one question uppermost in their minds as they make decisions in the public's name. In the context of the public life of the nation, which question does Henry argue is the most important?

A) How will people be helped or hurt by this decision?
B) How much money will this cost the agency?
C) Who will benefit politically from this policy?
D) What is the constituency interest supported by this decision?

Question 9

States began imposing ethics codes on public administrators before the national government wrote its first ethics legislation.

Question 10

Almost ninety percent of city managers are required to attend ethics workshops on a yearly basis.

Question 11

Philosophical principles affect bureaucratic decision making and public policy.

Question 12

Public Administrators hold themselves to a higher ethical standard than the public does.

Question 13

Strong ethical conduct makes agencies less effective and efficient.

Question 14

Justice-as-fairness demands that the good of the whole be the priority of public administrators, regardless of the consequences.

Question 15

How do public administrators practice ethics?

Question 16

How does a public administrator determine what is in the public's interest?

Question 17

What are some of the major points that public administration theorists emphasize in explaining how public administrators protect the public interest?

Question 18

What is meant by "justice-as-fairness"? How is this concept pertinent to the practice of public administration?

Question 19

What is the future of ethical decision making in public administration? Discuss why ethics is important to good governance.

Question 20

Who was Robert Moses? Why is his story important to the understanding of ethics in the public sector?