The demand for policy analysis arises when there are knowledge gaps. The knowledge gaps that drive the demand for policy analysis also create problems of trust. Despite there being systems put in place promoting honest and high-quality work, verifying merits of advice given by policy analysts can be costly. Decision makers must assume that policy analysts who advise them are acting with integrity, although we can never be entirely sure a policy analyst will prove trustworthy.
This discussion answers: What steps can be taken to reduce the chances that a policy analyst will breach ethical standards when advising lawmakers? What are the characteristics of ethical principles for policy analysts?
According to Teitelbaum and Wilensky, policy analysis is an analysis that provides informed advice to a client that relates to a public policy decision, includes a recommended course of action/inaction, and is framed by the client’s powers and values (2013). Their role is to close knowledge gaps for governmental decision makers. In doing so, they have significant discretion when considering how to define a problem and the nature of the analytical work that flows from there (Minstrom, 2013).
The ethical principles for policy analysts are essentially the same ethical principles as those in any career field. They may vary from person to person, but in general, ethics pertain to an individual’s belief of what is right and what is wrong. Regardless of the nuances amongst individuals, I believe most ethical principles are practiced in both a person’s private and public/career life. I would also suggest that ethical behaviors (or at least the expectance of such) contribute to one’s ability to lead and manage a team, so if a history of ethical behavior isn’t evident, one will have a difficult time securing a leadership position or position where integrity is expected (such as in policy analysis).
Nevertheless, the following five attributes are good guiding principles for policy analysts: integrity, competence, responsibility, respect and concern. Decision makers rely on policy analysts for their information, therefore, decision makers must place trust in policy analysts to act ethically. The aforementioned attributes are highly valued when describing ethical practices and behaviors.
Integrity – People with integrity strive to do the right thing in any given situation and to achieve consistency in their intentions and actions across contexts. I think integrity is the foundation for living an ethical life. My family raised me with the value of “if you can’t rest easy with a choice, then it most likely isn’t the right choice.” People with integrity live a life of high standards and honesty. They value justice and fairness. Policy analysts must have integrity in order to thoroughly analyze a topic (i.e. the topic may be controversial, but an analysts with integrity will give 100% commitment to the analysis and represent the facts without bias. Competence – When a person has honesty and integrity, they do what they say they can do and if for some reason they cannot live up to the commitment, they admit to it. An ethical policy analyst will deliver high-quality work without unnecessary cost. Policy analysts who are competent and ethical continuously pursue knowledge so as to always have the ability to perform.
Responsibility – Being responsible means having accountability (be transparent). Responsible policy analysts not only follow through with their words, their work reveals the pride they have because they strive throughout the process to achieve positive outcomes. And, if they see potential for a problem, they deal with it whether it means admitting a mistake or working harder to avoid the problem. Responsible policy analysts do what they can to make sure their work is top not and reputable.
Respect – Respecting someone means acknowledging their humanity, their dignity, and their right to be the people they are. The saying “respect is earned, not given,” means that one must acknowledge another’s humanity, dignity and their right to be who they are before respect is earned. It also means that there is a need to seek to understand and appreciate others even when their views or beliefs do not agree with one’s own. Having respect and being respected as a policy analyst can help one gain insights into effective policy design by listening closely to others, even when one profoundly disagrees with what one is hearing. Respecting others and turning conflicts into opportunities for learning can promote creative problem solving (Minstrom, 2013).
Concern – Having concern means valuing others’ (caring about, showing an interest in, and being involved in their lives). Policy analysts who have concern do what they can to gain exposure to the communities and people that their policies affect. By keeping the lives of others relevant to their own, policy analysts are able to remain cognizant of their work’s influence.
It would be nice to assume that people would choose to carry out their careers in an ethical manner. Unfortunately, corruption is often easy to get away with so plans have to be in place to help deter fraud and corruption in the workplace. An effective way of preventing corruption is by having a compliance plan in place and being practiced. In order for a compliance plan to be effective, it has to be known, observed and enforced in the workplace. When there’s a known expectation, people are more likely to strive for it. Also, when an organization is known for being ethical, its employees tend to hold each other accountable for ethical behavior. Compliance plans show that there is a proactive approach to ethics with a “good faith” effort to do what is right for all parties involved.
Lastly, I think it’s important, in all businesses, to reward or recognize/acknowledge ethical behavior. Doing the “right” thing isn’t always the easy choice. For example, if a policy analyst decides that they cannot write an analysis on an issue based on the client’s views because it will harm more people than it will help, that employee should be acknowledged for admitting to not being able to create the analysis. Whether they did so because of competence or difference of opinion or lack of benefit to the greater good, the employee (policy analyst) was ethical in choosing to not write the analysis. So, if a situation where a public “reward” is appropriate, make it known that your employee/business practices ethics. If it’s a situation where publicly rewarding or recognizing is not appropriate because it may “embarrass” someone, then simply recognize the employee privately for their ethical behavior and ultimately representing the business in an ethical manner.
BP. (2002). Finding your way through the maze. Retrieved from http://www.bp.com/liveassets/bp_internet/globalbp/STAGING/global_assets/downloads/B/BPs_ guidelines_on_business_conduct.pdf
Minstrom, M. (2013). Doing ethical policy analysis. Retrieved from http://epress.anu.edu.au/apps/bookworm/view/Public+Policy %3A+Why+ethics+matters/5251/ch03.xhtml
Teitelbaum, J. B. & Wilensky, S. E. (2013). Essentials of health policy and law, 2nd Ed. Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett Learning
Kevin, I second Tara’s comments. As you said, personal values may often conflict with professional values or rights and it can be difficult to find a balance. I believe this is when the values of competence and integrity come into play when determining policy. If the analyst is not able to “be okay” with a policy they are asked to create or help create, it’s important that they let that be known as it wouldn’t be fair to themselves or to their employer or client. A policy analyst has to be able to be honest and fair in their analysis, so if they are not able to do that because of bias or belief, then it’s necessary for them to abstain from being part of the analysis.
Moreover, I second your view on the importance of communication when it comes to dealing with ethics – especially when working in teams. Often, policy analysis requires multiple people with different strengths/expertise to work together in order to develop a thorough analysis. This definitely requires effective communication strategies. Also, policy analysts are often asked to present information in a very short, concise manner and in order to comply, it’s necessary to be able to communicate thoroughly with fewer words. Lastly, depending on the audiences that need to be reached, policy analysts need to be adept at both writing and speaking as well as be able to tell the same “story” in multiple methods without losing effect (Minstrom, 2013). Being able to communicate the work to different audiences is also a means of showing respect to the audience; it shows them you value their right/need to understand the analysis. Regardless, though, any work one communicates must be work that one is “okay with” communicating. Minstrom, M. (2013). Doing ethical policy analysis. Retrieved from http://epress.anu.edu.au/apps/bookworm/view/Public+Policy %3A+Why+ethics+matters/5251/ch03.xhtml
Miracle,
I like how you stated, “There should always be a level or trust in those you work with but never be naive to the motives of others.” Nevertheless, personally, I think it continually becomes more difficult to “trust” others. Our society has become very self-centered which I think has led to less morals being upheld. While I think there are still those who can be trusted, I think the second part of you statement is most important – to not be naïve to the motives of others. I really hate to sound so pessimistic about society – I would love to have faith in everyone but have been let down by too many. Ugh….
Anyway, as far as policy analysis goes, I believe that if a firm/business has guidelines like a compliance plan in place which states the ethical expectations of its employees, it’s realistic to assume that the policy analyst will be ethical in their presentation of the analysis. With a plan like this, others are aware of one’s commitments and that ethical breaches are not condoned within one’s own company or in those with which a business agreement is made. Furthermore, policy analysts need to present all sides of the information to the best of their ability (unbiased) along with trade-offs, consequences, and benefits of each side. When they do this, they show respect to their peers as their work can be viewed, and when it’s done well/appropriately, their peers (who are ethical anyway) can only show support for the work.
Nevertheless, like you said, I think the person asking for the analysis needs to at least be aware of the general ramifications of the policy before requesting an analysis. IF that isn’t happening, we need better people making policy (but that could be another topic for discussion)!
clear about the relative merits of each alternative and the trade-offs associated with pursuing one over the others. It is important that these trade-offs be made explicit. Policy analysts should also be prepared to state their views on what policy alternative would be most appropriate in the given context. Doing so can be clarifying to decision makers. Just as importantly, it forces the analyst to work hard at making their arguments for the choice they favour. The most effective way to do this is to make the strongest possible argument for each alternative, rather than paying more attention to a favoured position and doing limited or sloppy analysis of the other alternatives. Exposing their work to peer review is a further check on the validity of the analysts’ evidence and arguments.
that we do not condone either explicitly or implicitly breaches of our principles.Nevertheless, like you said, I think the person asking for the analysis needs to at least be aware of the general ramifications of the policy before requesting an analysis. IF that isn’t happening, we need better people making policy (but that could be another topic for discussion)! Furthermore,