Ethics and Government - 2590 Words

Ethics and Government Angela M. Roberson SOC 120: Introduction to Ethics and Social Responsibility Professor Kay Green May 30, 2010 Ethics is defined as a set of principles of right conduct. It is also a theory or a system of moral values (Merriman/Webster online dictionary). Government Ethics is often times referred to an oxy-moron. The reason for this is that many believe that our government does not have ethics in decision making. In this paper I will attempt to analyze the links between laws and ethics and how they have a relationship with one another. I will also explain how our government and ethics have a connection and how this connection can be made better. In recent months there have been several government issues going.†¦show more content†¦The second requirement for in issue to be an applied ethical issue is that it must be a moral issue. Sensitive issues like affirmative action, don’t ask don’t tell, health care reform and energy conservation are controversial and have an important impact on society. Fieser refers to some of these issues as issues of social policy. His d efinition of social policy is to help make a given society run efficiently by devising conventions, such as traffic laws, tax laws, and zoning codes. As for moral issues, he stated that it concerns more universally obligatory practices, such as our duty to avoid lying, and are not confined to individual societies. One example that he brought up was, â€Å"some social policies forbid residents in certain neighborhoods from having yard sales. But, so long as the neighbors are not offended, there is nothing immoral in itself about a resident having a yard sale in one of these neighborhoods.† Therefore, to qualify as an applied ethical issue, the issue must be more than one of mere social policy: it must be morally relevant as well (Fieser, 2006). The ethical process helps to explore the reasons for different positions, and to evaluate them by ethical standards. The process provides opportunities for mutual understanding and learning. By integrating the more traditionalShow Mor eRelatedThe Separation Of Ethics And Government1819 Words   |  8 Pagesâ€Å"Ethics is the manner by which we try to live our lives according to a standard of right or wrong† (Ghillyer). And government ethics is â€Å"the application of ethical rules to government† (Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.). The separation of ethics and government was seen with the unraveling of Hurricane Katrina, which was a category 4 hurricane that made landfall in New Orleans on August 29, 2005. New Orleans, Louisiana was a racially segregated city occupied predominately by a black majority and had defiedRead MoreEthics in the Federal Government2761 Words   |  12 PagesAre Ethics Laws in the Federal Government a Violation of Constitutional Rights? Abstract The paper explores the United States Government’s efforts to put in place laws that guide the ethical behavior of its civil service employees. From the founding of the nation, ensuring ethical behavior by government employees has been a recurring theme, and legislation, laws, and executive orders have been implemented at each stage of our government’s growth to guide federal employees in the ethicalRead MoreEthics and Government Spending599 Words   |  2 PagesEthics and Government Spending In responding to the scenario wherein the City Commissioner is faced with the dilemma of approving the expense for a proposed annual Halloween Party among the committee staff and members, it is important to first have an understanding of the role that the City Commissioner plays as a public servant. 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The company being examined is called Cassidy and Associates. Cassidy came into the forefront of Texas politics, when in 2006 Carol Strayhorn, the comptroller announced the state of Texas would be suspending payments to a Washington lobbying firm hired by Rick Perry, called Cassidy and Associates (Zeller 2006)Read MoreContracting Ethics in Government Acquisitions1315 Words   |  5 PagesContracting ethics in government acquisitions Government acquisition is the process through which government agencies make purchases for all goods and services. To ensure that contracting ethics and morals are observed by all the agencies there is set of rules that are to be used by all agencies, this rules govern how purchase of goods and services will be done by all the federal agencies. Federal agencies are responsible for a large array of missions and goals, to achieve them all they useRead MoreGovernment, Regulation Business Ethics2112 Words   |  9 PagesGovernment, Regulation amp; Business Ethics The issue of business relations with government has increasingly become a key issue of business ethics. Some of the many questions raised are * Is it acceptable for corporations to use their considerable power tp shape government policy? * Is the government jeopardizing its role in protecting the public interest when politicians sit on the board of corporations? The government has a crucial role to play in establishing the ‘rules of the game’Read MoreGovernment, Regulation Business Ethics2121 Words   |  9 PagesGovernment, Regulation amp; Business Ethics The issue of business relations with government has increasingly become a key issue of business ethics. Some of the many questions raised are * Is it acceptable for corporations to use their considerable power tp shape government policy? * Is the government jeopardizing its role in protecting the public interest when politicians sit on the board of corporations? The government has a crucial role to play in establishing the ‘rules of the game’ byRead MoreThe Ethics Of A Government Intelligence Contract1752 Words   |  8 Pagessoftware, etc. Also included are, other similar technology corporations watching Oracle`s next steps, the Attorney General, government officials, Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S (United States) General Services Administration, The Document Foundation, and the European Union (EU). To handle an issue, Oracle had hired lobbyists to get a government intelligence contract. Institutions Institutions are the rules of the games in a society that shape the human interactions.Read MoreThe Ethics Of The Ut Student Government878 Words   |  4 Pagesoverwhelming issue in America as a whole, and there is no question that different perspectives have escalated within the last few years concerning, which is indeed, the â€Å"most democratic†. However, in terms of a govern election for the UT student government I believe proposal three is the most sound in creating the most democratic system in that it gives candidates the same chance in the election process and restricts the personal wealth of individual candidates. In proposal three candidates can only