Part II of Richter and Burke is named “Ethical problem: some blatant, some not so obvious”and has eight chapters (Richter & Burke, 2007). Richter and Burke explore different ethical sues, including corruption, fraud, lying, and abuse of power. These authors discuss moral issues, particularly in the realm of governance in public and corporate sectors. This literature successfully highlights the evils of corruption, such as bribery, that result from a lack of accountability. Political interference and unethical behaviors are the heart of corruption in both public and organizations. While many believe corruption only happens in public offices, everyone is culpable and responsible for inadequate public leadership (Richter & Burke, 2007). Leadership and ethics are inseparable because good governance demands morality, checks and balances, and public participation.
Richter and Burke (2007) highlight that leadership should be anchored on professionalism, integrity, and ethics. The text is clear on the different contexts of corruption, including bribery, fraud, favoritism, and extortion, incentivized by a desire for power or misuse of the same. These authors extensively highlight law violation and abuse of public office as key elements of corruption. This text evidences beyond doubt that anticorruption strategies are superficial and, hence, infective. Good governance should be tailored around the rule of law, accountability, transparency, and public participation to combat these evils,
This literature successfully highlights the role of ethics in managing conflict of interest in public, private, and non-profit organizations. Conflict of interest results in worse evils, such as bribery, which undermines democracy and transparency within a government or an organization. The text paints a picture of how personality attributes such as lying, cheating, and deception are tools for public control. A discussion on honesty and dishonest graft reveals the true picture of conflict of interest in governance. The authors descriptively outline the complex relationship between conflict of interest, personal vices, and corruption.
Furthermore, Richter and Burke unearth the contentious discussion on ethical implications related to privacy and confidence. Different legislative policies and governmental organizations exist to ensure that individuals responsible are accountable for sensitive information. The article showcases the link between disregard for others, particularly about privacy and confidentiality erosion of societal ethics. Chapter 8 successfully highlights the implications of abuse of power and administrative evil. The authors outline how individuals in power use their power to take advantage of the weak in society (Richter & Burke, 2007). The text concludes that it believes that society must devise methods to the corrupt from power to stop power abuse.
Reference
Richter, W. L., & Burke, F. (2007). Combating corruption, encouraging ethics: a practical guide to management ethics. Rowman & Littlefield, Cop.
Post Responses
Discussion Post #1
Hello
Thank you for finding your post. Your post raises very critical points about the complexity of corruption. I agree with your take on that corruption is not always illegal and unethical when interrogated superficially. You are correct in mentioning that corruption requires greater interrogation of attitude and individual performance towards this vice. More so, despite different descriptions of corruption in various cultures, ideologies, or other contemporary contexts, corruption is mainly incentivized by a desire for power. You also paint a picture of the delicate balance between having power and avoiding abusing it. Power over-shadows individuals’ ethics, clouding their judgment and leading them to practice corruption (Richter & Burke, 2007). Corruption is not superficial but a deeply ingrained evil, with a blend of power, personality vices, and desire for personal gratification. Everyone has the potential to be corrupt because power is at its Centre; those seeking power and those abusing power are susceptible to graft.
Reference
Richter, W. L., & Burke, F. (2007). Combating corruption, encouraging ethics: a practical guide to management ethics. Rowman & Littlefield, Cop.
Discussion Post #2
Hello
Thank you for taking the time to post. You point out that corruption is “something spoilt;” This is accurate because corruption can cause rot in multiple dimensions. You outline how corruption breaks public trust through its illegalities and violation of ethical principles. Corruption involves using power for personal benefits and not for committing a crime.
Additionally, referencing the text, corruption involves using public or organizational resources for private objectives (Richter & Burke, 2007). Corruption can jeopardize service delivery in government and other organizations because of the complexity of practicing it without drawing attention. It is surprising to think that non-profit organizations practice corruption. I cannot agree more that this sector has its rot, where individuals prioritize personal gain before the vulnerable in society. We must regulate this sector and re-evaluate our ethics because churches and charitable organizations are the pillars of good virtues.
Reference
Richter, W. L., & Burke, F. (2007). Combating corruption, encouraging ethics: a practical guide to management ethics. Rowman & Littlefield, Cop.
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