The Public Service Ethic in the New Public Personnel Systems

Abstract

A “public service ethic” implies more than just ethical behavior on the job; it also entails a dedication to the public interest and a commitment to mission accomplishment. This essay argues that the political need to make the government look smaller has led to more contracting out and analyzes the problem of promoting the principles of merit in private sector contractors. It then takes up the new challenge of public management: how to ensure that the public service ethic permeates all organizations and individuals engaged in executing the laws—not only those directly employed by the government in the traditional public service.