PARADOXES OF GOVERNMENT ETHICS

What are the responsibilities of government ethics officials? Dennis Thompson argues that such officials need to do more than oversee the paperwork associated with ethics legislation and the enforcement of specific standards and rules. They also have an "educational responsibility" in reminding public officials of their role in American democracy. Carrying out this "education in democracy" function is difficult, however, because of three paradoxes or misconceptions that plague the work of ethics officials. These include misconceptions surrounding the relative importance of ethical issues, the conflict between public and private ethical behavior, and the importance of appearances. Thompson discusses each of these paradoxes and the need to get beyond them. The major role for ethics officials, he concludes, is involvement in a continuous, positive, and visible effort to educate government employees about their democratic responsibilities.