The Complimentary Nature of Codes of Ethics and Codes of Conduct
Much of the public administration literature sees a contradiction between codes of ethics and codes of conduct.110 The pragmatic reality is that they can, and often are, complementary. There is an ideal continuum with ethics codes on one extreme and standards of conduct on the other. Most government codes have both types of elements. And there are examples of governments that have both a code of ethics and a code of conduct. For example Korea has both a “Public Service Ethics Act”111 and a “Code of Conduct for Public Officials.”112 The important point here is that effective codes have values to which public servants aspire and behaviors which are inconsistent with public service.
Ethical values and principles in codes must have both cognitive and emotive elements. They must appeal to reason, as well as the emotional content of patriotism, loyalty or professionalism. Effective codes of conduct focus on a manageable list of inappropriate behaviors articulated in a clear and concise manner. Both of these should be written for the intended audience, not specialists in the area. They must also have penalties associated with them that are appropriate and timely. Most successful codes have both administrative and criminal penalties. In the vast majority of ethics cases administrative penalties (demotion, salary reduction, and dismissal) are the most appropriate penalties. However, certain acts warrant criminal or civil penalties.