PUB3707
ASSIGNMENT 2
DUE DATE: AUGUST 2026
, PUB3707 ASSIGNMENT 2 2026
DUE AUGUST 2026
QUESTION 1: EVALUATING CLAPPER'S VIEWS ON ETHICS FOR PUBLIC
ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT
1. INTRODUCTION
This essay evaluates the main themes of Professor VA Clapper's views on ethics for
public administration and management in the twenty-first century. Clapper's work
explores the foundational ideas of ethics and morality, the importance of
professionalism and ethical codes, and how the understanding of public sector ethics
has changed from the twentieth to the twenty-first century.
2. CLAPPER'S VIEWS ON ETHICS AND MORALITY
Clapper sees ethics and morality as the very foundation of public administration. He
defines Ethics as the study of morality, which involves using reason to determine if
actions are right or wrong according to society's standards (Clapper, 2014,
p.5). Morality, on the other hand, refers to the values and conventions a society holds
as important, reflected in its laws and rules (Clapper, 2014, p.6).
A key part of Clapper's view is the importance of an official's personal morality. Every
public official is first an individual with their own moral compass, shaped by their
community and upbringing (Clapper, 2014, p.6). This personal morality is vital because
no set of rules can cover every situation. Public officials often have to use their own
judgement and discretion, and without a strong personal morality, they are more likely to
abuse their power or be manipulated (Clapper, 2014, pp.6-7).
ASSIGNMENT 2
DUE DATE: AUGUST 2026
, PUB3707 ASSIGNMENT 2 2026
DUE AUGUST 2026
QUESTION 1: EVALUATING CLAPPER'S VIEWS ON ETHICS FOR PUBLIC
ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT
1. INTRODUCTION
This essay evaluates the main themes of Professor VA Clapper's views on ethics for
public administration and management in the twenty-first century. Clapper's work
explores the foundational ideas of ethics and morality, the importance of
professionalism and ethical codes, and how the understanding of public sector ethics
has changed from the twentieth to the twenty-first century.
2. CLAPPER'S VIEWS ON ETHICS AND MORALITY
Clapper sees ethics and morality as the very foundation of public administration. He
defines Ethics as the study of morality, which involves using reason to determine if
actions are right or wrong according to society's standards (Clapper, 2014,
p.5). Morality, on the other hand, refers to the values and conventions a society holds
as important, reflected in its laws and rules (Clapper, 2014, p.6).
A key part of Clapper's view is the importance of an official's personal morality. Every
public official is first an individual with their own moral compass, shaped by their
community and upbringing (Clapper, 2014, p.6). This personal morality is vital because
no set of rules can cover every situation. Public officials often have to use their own
judgement and discretion, and without a strong personal morality, they are more likely to
abuse their power or be manipulated (Clapper, 2014, pp.6-7).
