Ethics in Public Administration : Understanding Ethics, Corruption, and Public Policy

Ethics in Public Administration: Understanding Ethics, Corruption, and Public Policy provides students with a timely and valuable collection of articles, essays, and case studies regarding ethical challenges, expectations, and opportunities in public administration. 

The collection begins with an introduction to the foundations of ethics in public administration and explores the definition and meaning of ethics as a concept. In later chapters, students read about the relationship between ethics and the law, as well as the delicate interplay between ethics, public service, public careers, and Constitutional practice. Additional sections of the anthology examine corruption in government and the ethical dimensions of decision making. 

Each chapter presents readers with an ethical dilemma to spark critical thought and self-reflection, an introduction to the featured readings, and a case study to demonstrate the real-world implications of topics addressed within the chapter. 

Providing valuable insight into complex contemporary issues, Ethics in Public Administration is an ideal resource for courses in public administration.

Meriem Doucette is an assistant professor of public administration at California State University, Fullerton. She holds doctoral and master’s degrees in public administration and policy from the University of Georgia. Dr. Doucette’s research interests include performance feedback, the roles of discount rates and time preferences in decision making, public and private sector comparisons, and educational policy.

David Adams is an assistant professor of public administration at California State University, Fullerton. He holds doctoral and master’s degrees in public administration and policy from Auburn University. Dr. Adams’ research interests include environmental policy, federalism and intergovernmental relations, collaborative governance, social networks, American political institutions, and public service ethics.