A Normative Approach to Ethics Training in Central and Eastern Europe

Destabilizing levels of corruption and graft are common to all countries in Central and eastern europe (CEE). International assistance and, in particular, investments in CEE countries suffer exorbitant corruption cost. More successful legal and managerial control and suppression of corruption and opportunistic behavior of public officials is required. Arguably, ethical behavior offsets corruption so that it does not threaten economic and political development nor distort political systems to a point beyond recognition. The rapidly changing ecology of CEE countries requires that emerging governments review, adjust and create new mechanisms for ensuring high standards of ethical conduct by their public employees. This article suggests that a focus on public administration and its efforts to combat corruption are more inclusive than simply public administration and the public servant. Analysis of ethics and ethical behavior must include social, political, and economic systems and to ensure core values and standards meet public expectations. To translate core values into action, countries need to frame and construct standards of conduct and create environments where core values guide actions. The goal of this article is to present a context for training to combat corruption in the public bureaucracies of CEE countries. An ecological approach is proposed to provide understanding of linkages between society and the public bureaucracy as a basis for decisions on value, structural and normative ethical frameworks, and the nature of training needed for implementation.