The common saying ‘with great power, comes great responsibility’ is extremely evident in the Toronto Computer Leasing Scandal, specifically in the first woman, as well as youngest, city treasurer of Ontario. As Treasurer of the City of Toronto, Wanda Liczyk oversaw a large annual budget and had a sizable influence on countless municipal government contracts. Ms. Liczyk failed to uphold boundaries of professionalism that were necessary in her position and in doing so partook in the corruption that occurred in the City of Toronto’s government in the late 1990s (The Honourable Madam Justice Denise E. Bellamy, 2005). Ms. Liczyk’s relationships with American IT consultant, Michael Saunders, and hairdresser turned computer salesman, Dash Domi, were never disclosed with Mel Lastman, the Mayor of Toronto at the time, and involved large conflicts of interest. These conflicts of interest demonstrated Ms. Liczyk’s inability to maintain transparency, objectivity and to claim accountability for her actions – all qualities needed in government officials the public is expected to trust (Milrad, 2006).
What is a Conflict of Interest?
Individuals in positions of power are elected to represent the public and to serve the people’s best interest, not to serve or benefit
…show more content…
Breaking rules surrounding ethics has been noted as one of the largest reasons for a decrease in public confidence/trust in one’s government (Fernando, 2007). Public inquiries, such as the one developed by Madam Justice Bellamy, address the concerns of the public and allow for them to review the government’s failings. Stemming from this, changes can be made and the Inquiry can be utilized as a resource for change (although it does not represent a change itself) (Fernando,
constitution give the power of electing individuals into office wither it would that of high ranks or low ranks the people get to choose who it is that is put in those types of positions, “ And the People alone pass judgment in capital cases. ... It is the People who grant offices to the deserving, the most noble prize for virtue in a state. They also have authority over the ratifying of laws and — the greatest of their powers — they deliberate and pass judgment concerning war and peace”(Roman Constitution, [6.14.1]).
Lewis, C. W., & Gilman, S. C. (2005). THE ETHICS CHALLENGE IN PUBLIC SERVICE A Problem-Solving Guide (2nd ed.).
Corruption is a persistent problem that plagues the world and it knows no boundaries. Transparency International defines it as the “abuse of entrusted power for private gain” (2013). For the purposes of this thread, ‘corruption’ is defined as any individual, collective, or structural act or process that permits the use of public authority or position for private gain. This definition captures the broad and many ways individuals and institutions abuse power and the public trust. In regard to whistleblowing, much conflict stems from the context in which the whistleblower is viewed.
...o represent the interests of their voters, but also they promote the business matters of their investors (Norris, 1997).
When dealing with corruption, first question to ask or to clarify is what corruption is. NSW Research (2002) describes corruption anything from gaining materialistically by virtue of position (for eg. getting a special discount at stores) to engaging in ‘direct criminal activities’ (eg. selling drugs). Newburn (1999) believes that there is a thin line between the definition of ‘corrupt’ and ‘non-corrupt’ activities as at the end, it is an ethical problem. For common people, however, bribery generalises corruption.
Representation: the effort of elected officials to look out for the interests of those who elect them
However, seldom is this the case with American politics. There are far fewer politicians then there are low class workers or unemployed, and yet these politicians decide upon most all of the important decisions the country is faced with. The only time the rest of the people are involved is when these politicians spew out money and promises in an attempt to gain the p...
Political leaders of the United States were, at one time, thought of as crucial members of our society. Ideally, their main goal was to represent and satisfy the needs of the American people. Unfortunately, over the last fifty years, our trust in our administrative representatives has drastically declined. Beginning with the great conspiracy theory that President John F. Kennedy’s assassination in 1963 was actually planned by political leaders, America had, for the first time in history, begun to question its faith in its very own government. Consequently, the American people became extremely hesitant when it came to electing officials into office.
Initially, the Founders intended to have a limit on the amount of time any one person could serve. In the Articles of Confederation, a rotation in office system was described, so that no one person could remain in a position for decades on end. However, this was abandoned in the Constitution because it was deemed unnecessary. At the time of the nation’s founding, the occupation of “politician” did not exist. One could hold an office for a number of years, but it was not considered a career path. Originally, politicians were seen as making great sacrifices, because they stepped away from their family and primary jobs for a number of years to serve their country, before returning to their normal lives (Vance, 1994, p. 429). In the words of Founding Father Roger Sherman, “The representatives ought to return home and mix with the people. By remaining at the seat of the government, they will acquire the habits of the place, which might differ from those...
Redford’s concept of democratic morality as a cornerstone of the public organization is befitting when analyzing the indoctrination of ethical standards, especially in governmental bureaucracy. As governmental entities compelled to uphold democracy, their legitimacy is derived from a democracy and they are therefore compelled to embrace it (Denhardt, 2007). The standards held by these organizations are derived from democratic rule, perhaps more so in the form of representative bureaucracy. It functions in such a way, that our views and agendas are to be legislated through our elected officials, and then enacted in law. It is only natural that citizens should expect society’s morals, values, and ethical standard to be expressed in our public organizations. If they are not expressed in the governmental institutions then it would inspire one to question: “What power does the democratic will ultimately hold?”
2. Do political and governmental elected politicians represent the general population or a small segment of the society?
As, Goodnow has iterated the functions of politics communicate and addresses the state’s will however, he articulates that there is no boundaries or limitations to one or more authorities when managing politics, thus eluding to no appointed organization who handles political matters and the interest of the people. Perhaps, a contributing factor to complexities in the political and government systems and the functional roles of politics and administration. Woodrow Wilson essay “The Study of Administration,” he stresses that government systems and methods are in need of great improvement. (Woodrow. 1887) However, Wilson believes politics should be separated from administration, for administration should be a “field of business.” (Woodrow. 1887) Possibly speaking, if administration was separated would politics become more organized and an authority given to
Politics is the means for attaining valued things. Although, valued things are different in every society, the means of securing those things has never changed. The competition for power, authority and influence will always be the backbone of politics. Applying power, authority and influence to the valued things that support the public good, will produce the quality of life a society desires. In the present day, citizens in the United States demand certain valued things such as welfare, education, safe streets and healthcare. Through politics, citizens can apply their power in many different ways to get the things they want. Power is the ability to get someone to do something they may or may not want to do. Through the use of or the application of coercion, persuasion, manipulation and negotiation, power is used to influence the system.
Although the potential duality within the life of a government official is grounds for the tolerance of most immoral actions, a code of conduct for elected government officials should still be executed. The dual lives only justify there being no obligation for elected officials to live a morally exemplary life in private; it does not justify the allowance of unethical lives with regards to the elected government offices. As long as the code of conduct revolves around the ethics of the professional life and excludes most immoral actions of the private life, the code should be upheld.
‘The doctrine of dichotomy implied that the politicians and their direct appointees have the right to make policy decisions for the polity but it is the duty of the bureaucrats to carry those policies in good faith’ (Pfiffner, 2004, p. 2).