Review of Public Administration and Management

Administrative Ethics and Accountability in Modern Governance

Sophie Laurent^* Department of Political Studies University of Paris, Paris, France
^*Correspondence: Sophie Laurent, Department of Political Studies University of Paris, Paris, France, Email:

Received: 02-Jun-2025, Manuscript No. RPAM-25-29749; Editor assigned: 04-Jun-2025, Pre QC No. RPAM-25-29749; Reviewed: 17-Jun-2025, QC No. RPAM-25-29749; Revised: 21-Jun-2025, Manuscript No. RPAM-25-29749; Published: 28-Jun-2025, DOI: 10.35248/2315-7844.25.13.485

Description

The effectiveness of public administration depends not only on efficiency and technical competence but also on adherence to ethical standards and mechanisms of accountability. Citizens expect public officials to act in the public interest, uphold fairness and manage resources responsibly. Yet these expectations are often challenged by competing political pressures, resource constraints and the complex nature of modern governance. Understanding the role of ethics and accountability in administration is therefore central to maintaining legitimacy and public trust [1]. Administrative ethics refers to the principles and values that guide public officials in their decision-making and conduct. These include honesty, integrity, impartiality, respect for law and commitment to serving the common good. Ethical standards help ensure that public officials act not for personal or partisan benefit but in ways that enhance equity and justice. However, ethics is not static. As societies evolve, new challenges emerge that require reinterpretation of ethical obligations. For instance, the digitalization of administrative functions raises new questions about data privacy, algorithmic bias and surveillance [2]. Accountability complements ethics by establishing mechanisms through which officials can be held responsible for their actions and decisions. Accountability operates through multiple channels: legal frameworks, legislative oversight, judicial review, internal audits, media scrutiny and citizen participation. Together, ethics and accountability form a system of checks that helps prevent abuse of power and ensures responsiveness to the needs of society [3]. The importance of administrative ethics becomes especially clear when it is absent. Scandals involving corruption, favoritism, or misuse of public funds can severely damage public confidence. France itself has experienced episodes where local administrations misallocated resources, sparking public outrage and demands for reform. Internationally, cases such as procurement fraud or political patronage illustrate how unethical behavior undermines both efficiency and legitimacy. Ethical frameworks, such as codes of conduct and training programs, seek to prevent such misconduct by instilling values that guide behavior even in ambiguous situations [4].

Different countries adopt varied approaches to embedding ethics into public administration. In the United Kingdom, the Nolan Principles provide a foundation for ethical conduct in public life, emphasizing selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership. In Germany, ethical guidelines are closely tied to legal traditions that stress rule-bound behavior and the duty of civil servants to the state. In Brazil, transparency portals make financial transactions accessible to the public, creating incentives for ethical behavior by exposing irregularities. These diverse practices highlight that while ethical principles are universal, their implementation reflects cultural, political and institutional contexts [5]. Accountability mechanisms also vary across governance systems. In democratic states, parliaments play a central role in scrutinizing administrative decisions through hearings, inquiries and budgetary oversight. Independent audit institutions strengthen accountability by ensuring financial transparency. Courts provide a venue for citizens to challenge administrative decisions, enforcing legal rights and preventing arbitrary actions. In some countries, ombudsman offices serve as intermediaries between citizens and bureaucracy, investigating complaints and recommending remedies. The media, both traditional and digital, further act as watchdogs, exposing misconduct and mobilizing public opinion [6].

Technology adds a new dimension to ethics and accountability. Digital platforms enable greater transparency by making information readily available. Open data initiatives, for example, allow citizens to track government spending or monitor environmental policies. However, technology also introduces ethical dilemmas. Automated decision-making systems may unintentionally discriminate against certain groups if algorithms are poorly designed. Surveillance technologies can infringe on privacy rights if not properly regulated. Administrators must therefore balance innovation with safeguards to ensure ethical compliance [7]. Public servants often face ethical dilemmas that do not have straightforward solutions. For example, a social worker may struggle to allocate limited resources among vulnerable populations, knowing that some needs will remain unmet. An urban planner may confront pressure to approve development projects that promise economic growth but threaten environmental sustainability. These dilemmas highlight the complexity of ethical decision-making in practice. Ethical frameworks help guide such choices, but ultimately public servants must exercise judgment, weighing competing values and potential consequences [8].

The role of education and professional development is crucial in strengthening administrative ethics. Training programs that emphasize integrity, impartiality and citizen-centered values prepare public officials to navigate ethical challenges. Universities and training institutes play an important role by embedding ethics courses in public administration curricula. Continuing education ensures that officials remain aware of emerging ethical issues, such as those posed by artificial intelligence or climate change [9]. Citizens themselves are key actors in promoting accountability. Mechanisms such as participatory budgeting, citizen advisory councils and digital feedback platforms empower citizens to hold administrations accountable. When citizens are informed and engaged, they can pressure institutions to act ethically and transparently. For example, in France, local assemblies in some municipalities allow citizens to question officials directly about policy decisions. Such practices strengthen democratic legitimacy while reinforcing accountability. Ethics and accountability also influence international relations [10].

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