To be an effective leader, a public official must maintain the highest ethical and moral standards.
Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the statement and explain your reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you should consider ways in which the statement might or might not hold true and explain how these considerations shape your position.
The speaker claims that public officials are held to a higher level of accountability than private citizens, and are therefore held to a higher ethical and moral standard. This, it is argued, is why public officials are held to a higher standard of conduct. However, this is not necessarily the case
Although it is true that public officials have greater visibility, this does not automatically translate into greater accountability. Public officials do not enjoy the same legal protections granted to private individuals, nor are they subject to the same civil or criminal sanctions. Private citizens may commit crimes, but may never be held accountable. Similarly, private citizens who are caught in the act of committing crimes may benefit from their social status, allowing them to avoid prosecution. Public officials, on the other hand, may face criminal or civil sanctions for their actions, including imprisonment or the loss of their office. This difference in accountability leads to some public officials holding themselves to a different standard than private citizens, but we should not assume that this higher moral standard is always upheld. Public officials, like private citizens, are subject to their own biases and prejudices, and may be tempted to deviate from ethical standards when they are in a position of power or authority. For example, despite the darkness and corruption that was rampant in the Nixon administration, most members of the Nixon administration were not prosecuted for their misdeeds. Although a few, such as Haldeman, were convicted, they were pardoned by Nixon
The speaker also claims that public officials are held to a higher moral standard, but this is not necessarily the case. Some public officials, such as Presidents, derive their power from the masses, and while those masses may expect a certain amount of ethical conduct and adherence to the law, they do not expect perfection from their leaders. A President who fails to perform his duty may be voted out of office, but this does not result in punishment. While the public may not hold a private citizen accountable for their misdeeds, a failure of public leaders to perform their duties may result in public outrage and protest. This can result in a President facing impeachment, which could result in the loss of his or her office. As we have seen many times throughout history, the public is not willing to tolerate bad behavior from their public leaders, and as a result, may render them ineffective
Public officials, like private citizens, are expected to act in certain ways because of their position, but this does not mean that they have to act in specific ways. It is unlikely that elected officials would refuse to take bribes, for example, or lie under oath. On the other hand, some public officials, such as elected officials, are often held to a higher standard than others. For example, members of law enforcement are held to a higher standard than others, both in terms of conduct and in terms of accountability. Officers on the force are expected to act in a professional manner, and any failure to do so can result in disciplinary action. Police officers who fail to follow policy, or who are found to have purposely violated policy, may be fired or disciplined further. Similarly, law enforcement officers are expected to act with integrity. Any actions that undermine their integrity may lead to termination from the force, or civil or criminal sanctions
While it is true that public leaders are held to a higher ethical and moral standard than private citizens, this does not mean that they are expected to behave in any particular way. Public officials, like private citizens, are expected to act ethically and morally, but their actions, policies, and workplace conduct are subject to their own biases and prejudices.