Implementing Ethics Programmes : The Role of Public Sector Project Design and Process Management

"Technical" public sector reform programmes often ignore the politics and value judgements inherent in these programmes. One way of addressing these concerns has been the implementation of public sector ethics programmes. Yet, ethics programmes themselves have been treated as technical exercises - ignoring political and value judgements. This paper discusses two methods of analysis which may serve public sector administrators and ethics officials in dealing with the moral and political issues lying behind the ethics programme. These issues are illustrated through the example in the US-Russian Basic Guidelines for Codes of Business Conduct