Ethics In Public Administration

ETHICS IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION A. Introduction Administration is a science that studies the state and public interests and is required to be responsible for the public it serves. Public bureaucracy is essentially a service to the community. But in fact, many government bureaucrats do not have high competence and accountability in carrying out the duties, authority and responsibilities given to them. Bureaucracy is the institution that is most highlighted by the public regarding performance and ethics. Public attention is directed at practices that deviate (mal-administration) from administrative ethics in carrying out their duties and responsibilities. This shows the importance of ethics in public administration. Ethics and human behavior are interrelated so that they can be accounted for. B. Definition of Public Administration Ethics Based on the encyclopedia, ethics is referred to as the science of morality that determines how humans live in society; what is good and what is bad. Etymologically, the word "ethics" which comes from the Greek word ethos has the meaning of habit or character. Ethics is a habit, custom or morals and character so that it can be seen that ethical issues are always related to human habits or character (as individuals or in certain positions), both good habits and bad habits. From the definition above, it can be seen that ethics is closely related to public administration. Philosophy and ethics are always directly related even to values, and morals while public administration is related to policy making, decision making, and policy implementation. C. The Urgency of Public Administration Ethics Public administration ethics can be traced from the paradigm of public administration science. The perspective between the dichotomy of politics and administration emphasizes that the government has two different functions, namely political functions and administrative functions. Politics is always related to the creation of policies or statements that are the wishes of the state. While the administrative function is related to the implementation of these policies. Based on this paradigm, ethics are needed in public administration. Two important points in ethics, namely: first as a guideline and reference for public administrators in carrying out their duties and authorities; second, public administration ethics (bureaucratic ethics) as a standard for assessing the behavior and actions of public administrators. D. Ethical Approaches to Public Administration There are several approaches taken by ethics in determining the good and bad of administrative studies. Among them are (Poedjawijatna, 1986: 139) as follows: 1. Socialism school. According to this school, the customs of the local community will determine the good and bad of human behavior. 2. Hedonism school. (hedone is a feeling of pleasure). Good deeds are deeds that will bring pleasure, enjoyment or satisfaction to humans. Good deeds are anything that brings deliciousness, pleasure and satisfaction of biological desires. 3. Intuitionism school. This school assumes that every human individual has an inner instinct that can distinguish good and bad at a glance. This power can react differently, due to the influence of time and environment, but it is basically the same and rooted in the human body. 4. Utilitarianism school. This school of thought believes that what is good is what is useful. Useful for individuals, society, and the environment. 5. Vitalism school. Strength reflects the goodness in humans. The power and authority possessed by a human being that is used to conquer other weak people is considered as something good. 6. Religiousism. Good deeds are deeds that are done according to God's will. While bad deeds are deeds that are not done according to God's will. 7. Evolutionism. According to this school, everything that happens in nature must experience evolution, namely developing from what it is to its perfection. The ethical approach in public administration is divided into two, as follows: 1) Teleological approach. According to this approach, good and bad or what should be done by the administration is the 'utility value' that will be obtained or produced. This approach is divided into two types, namely ethical egoism and utilitarianism. Ethical egoism develops goodness for itself. Personal power is the right goal for a government administrator. While utilitarianism seeks the best for many people. 2) Deontological approach. The deontological approach is the opposite of the teleological approach. Ethics and morals according to this approach are the main principles in administration E. Ethical Values of Public Administration Values in public administration ethics that can be used as a reference and guideline for public administration organizers in carrying out their duties and authorities. Widodo (2001 : 251-258) describes it as follows. 1) First, the value of efficiency. The value of efficiency means not being wasteful. Public bureaucracy (public administration) is said to be good if it has an efficient attitude, behavior, and actions (not wasteful). Public resources must not used wastefully, may not be used for projects that do not touch the interests of the wider community, or misused to enrich oneself. 2) The value of distinguishing personal property from office property. A good public bureaucracy is a public bureaucracy that can place positions in their place and distinguish which office property and which is personal property. This means that the bureaucracy will not use office property for personal gain. 3) Impersonal values. The cooperative relationship facilitated by the organization should be done formally (impersonal) and not personally (personal). Impersonal relationships must be done to avoid highlighting the element of feeling rather than the element of reason in carrying out tasks and responsibilities in accordance with the rules and regulations in the organization. 4) Merit system value. The merit system is an employee recruitment system that is not based on kinship, patrimonial (children, nephews, family, alumni, region, group, etc.), but is based on knowledge, skills, abilities and experience. owned by the person concerned. 5) Responsible value. This value is related to the accountability of public bureaucracy in carrying out its duties and authorities. 6) Accountability value. Accountability value is related to accountability in carrying out its duties and authorities. A good bureaucracy is a public bureaucracy who is full of responsibility. 7) Responsiveness value. This value is related to responsiveness to complaints, problems, and public aspirations. A good bureaucracy is a bureaucracy that has high responsiveness and responds quickly to public complaints, problems, and aspirations. In addition to the ethical values above, the code of ethics can also be used as a guideline for public administrators in carrying out their duties and authorities. Code of ethics (Suyamto, 1989: 32-40) is a tool to support the achievement of the goals of an organization or sub-organization or even groups that are not yet bound in an organization. Basically, a code of ethics is an ethical law. Ethical laws are usually made by a organization or a group, as a benchmark for mental attitudes that must be adhered to by its members in carrying out their duties.