Executive MPA Program Dr. Adela J. Gondek

Columbia University Winter 2002

Course #PUAS 6025

Contemporary Ethical Dilemmas in Public Policy

Course Purpose

In this course we inquire about ethics in the context of politics, the functioning specifically of policymakers and generally of society at large. We inquire about the policy process from the standpoint of justice, or just practice, as distinct from other considerations, such as price, style, number, derivation, timing, and so on, although these factors enter the discussion subordinately. Several main topics are addressed. First, differences in ethical character or approach are delineated and discussed. Attention is given to how these attitudinal differences can be explained and whether any "common sense" exists among them. Second, various structures in the political realm are examined to see whether, where, and how this accommodates ethics. Attention is given to the kinds of institutional provisions that invite and embrace the ethical standpoint. Third, different grounds in ethical decision-making are discussed to ascertain what the policymaker can expect concerning how arguments about right and wrong are generally and variously framed. Finally, some critical core residual dilemmas are addressed, which the policymaker will typically find it difficult to escape.

The course is a blend of individual cases and excerpts from general works, some traditional and some contemporary. Students are encouraged to explore and assess relevant intersections of the two bodies of material. An attempt is made to derive attitudinal guidelines and institutional checkpoints, with an international basis in political thought, observation, experience and science, for the ethical performance of policymakers.

Readings Required and Recommended

The cases assigned are available for purchase at the university bookstore, and are also on reserve in Lehman Library. The required journal articles are also on reserve there, as are the books from which readings are assigned. Most of the books are available for purchase at the university bookstore, and a coursepack, also available for purchase, contains many of the required readings.

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Schedule of Topics and Readings

Class Discussion

1 Introduction to the Subject

I. An Analysis of Character: Speaking of Ethical Differences...

2 A. The Regulatory Ethic: Order, the End Pursued;

with a Consideration of Behavior.

The Case, "Privacy and Publicity: The Senate Confirmation of Justice

Clarence Thomas" and Sequel.

James Q. Wilson, The Moral Sense, Ch. 8.

Plato, Republic, 543c-576d: On Fathers, Mothers, Sons, Behavior and

the Degeneration of Regimes.

3 B. The Constitutional Ethic: Happiness, the End Pursued;

with a Consideration of Strategy.

The Case, "Jesse Helms v. Harvey Gantt: Race, Culture, and Campaign

Strategy in the 1990 Senate Battle" and Sequel.

John Rawls, A Theory of Justice, Secs. 78-82.

Aristotle, Politics, Bk. V.2-4, 10-11: On Equality, Inequality, Strategy

and the Subversion of Regimes.

4 C. The Revolutionary Ethic: A Republic, the End Pursued;

with a Consideration of Method.

The Case, "Bringing Terror to Justice: The Extra-territorial Arrest of

Fawaz Yunis".

Bruce Ackerman, Social Justice in the Liberal State, Ch. 3.

Kant, Perpetual Peace, Sec. I,; App. I and II: On the Moral Politician,

the Political Moralist, Method and Human Harmony.

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5 D. The Nationalistic Ethic: The State, the End Pursued;

with a Consideration of Purpose.

The Case, "Terrorism in the Cour d"Assises: The US v. France v.

Georges Ibrahim Abdallah".

Alasdair MacIntyre, After Virtue, Ch. 14.

Machiavelli, The Prince, chs. 15-19: On Praise, Blame, Purpose and the

Prince.

II. An Analysis of Structure: Are Rights or Wrongs Guaranteed?

6 A. The Ethic of Academic Freedom: Inquiry v. Inquisition;

with a Consideration of Routine.

The Case, "Morley Affair" and Sequel.

Judith N. Shklar, Ordinary Vices, Ch. 6.

Paris, "Moral Education and the "Tie that Binds" in Liberal Political

Theory" (APSR, September 1991).

7 B. The Ethic of Accountability: Responsibility v. Excuse;

with a Consideration of Procedure.

The Case, "Two Oaths of Richard Helms".

Philip Selznick, The Moral Commonwealth, Ch. 8.

Thompson, "Mediated Corruption: The Case of the Keating Five"

(APSR, June 1993).

8 C. The Ethic of Conscientious Objection: Consent v. Performance;

with a Consideration of Policy.

The Case, "The Contemptuous Administrators: Radionuclides

Regulation and the Clean Air Act".

Dennis F. Thompson, Political Ethics and Public Office, Ch. 2.

Burtt, "The Politics of Virtue Today: A Critique and a Proposal"

(APSR, June 1993).

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9 D. The Ethic of Professional Norms: Evidence v. Propaganda

with a Consideration of Mission.

The Case, ""What If We Could Start Over?" The US Forest Service

Champions "Bottom-up Management"", Pts. A, B, C.

Max Weber, The Methodology of the Social Sciences, Essay I, pp.

1-27.

Galston, "Liberal Virtues" (APSR, December 1988).

III. Grounds in Ethical Arguments...Posturing and Positioning

10 A. Intellectual Variations: Virtue, Conscience, Custom, Utility, Ideology,

Pragmatism.

The Case, "Ethical Problems in Public Careers: Lying" and Teaching

Note.

Plutarch, Makers of Rome, Ch. 8, pp. 223-241.

Jerome Kagan, The Nature of the Child, Ch. 4.

B. Practical Variations: Status, Tenet, Precedent, Preference, Platform,

Budget.

The Case, "Telling the Boss He"s Wrong: George Shultz and

Iran/Contra".

Bentham, Handbook of Political Fallacies, Intro., Pt. 5, II-IV.

Robert A. Caro, The Power Broker: Robert Moses and the Fall of

New York, Chs. 10, 29.

IV. Troubles with Politics: Three Core Problems

11 A. The Element of Knowledge: Beclouded by Self-Interest.

The Case, "Senator Scott Heidepriem and the South Dakota Anti-

Abortion Bill".

Ernest Gellner, Anthropology and Politics: Revolutions in the Sacred

Grove, Ch. 5.

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Stark, "Beyond Quid Pro Quo: What"s Wrong with Private Gain from

Public Office?" (APSR, March 1997).

12 B. The Element of Sufficiency: Undone by Shortfalls.

The Case, "James Woolsey and the CIA: The Aldrich Ames Spy Case"

and Sequel.

William J. Bennett, The Book of Virtues, Ch. 3, pp. 217-265.

Stoker, "Interests and Ethics in Politics" (APSR, June 1992).

13 C. The Element of Voluntariness: Muddied by Dirty Hands.

The Case, "Twisting in the Wind? Ambassador April Glaspie and the

Persian Gulf Crisis", Pts. A, B, and Update.

Jean-Paul Sartre, No Exit.

Sir Thomas Malory, Le Morte Darthur, Pt. 8, pp. 702-750.

Participation

Students are expected to participate regularly in class discussions, basing their comments on course readings, appropriate events, and independent observation and experience.

Preparation

Prior to each class session, the pertinent readings are to be completed. Students should consider the central elements of each piece and identify such analytic and synthetic strands as may bind or refer one to another.

Papers

A term paper fifteen to twenty manuscript pages in length is required of each student. A draft must be submitted on each of two occasions during the semester, the first approximately five pages in length, and the second, ten The paper should be a case study,

one that weaves together independent research and relevant course material.

Grades

Final grades will be based on the three elements of coursework delineated above.