Why Ethics in Politics is So Important

JD Vance wants to discredit universities because they empower people like me to learn and expose the flaws in his arguments. A business law paper, for instance, helped me connect my L’Oréal research to political parallels—demonstrating the importance of academic rigor and the iprotance of ethical standards.

Public trust and legitimacy, the bedrock of effective governance, are essential for maintaining social order and stability. When politicians act ethically, citizens develop more faith in government and its rules, believing their leaders act with integrity. Conversely, unethical behavior erodes trust, leading to widespread cynicism, apathy, and questions about the government’s authority; the stench of corruption fills the air. This can manifest as decreased voter turnout, with empty polling stations echoing the public’s apathy, alongside angry protests filling the streets with cries for change, and a general decline in faith in democratic processes, leaving citizens feeling disillusioned and unheard. Just as consumers reject brands that prioritize profit over ethical production, prioritizing personal gain over the public good erodes citizens’ trust in politicians, leaving a bitter taste of betrayal.

2. Rule of Law and Justice:

Ethical politicians, who are committed to justice, uphold the rule of law and ensure its fair and impartial application, promoting a sense of equity and balance in society. This contrasts sharply with the stench of corruption and injustice that arises from a lack of ethics—laws are bent or broken, justice is unevenly applied, and the foundations of a just society crumble under the weight of it all.

3. Effective Policy-Making and Public Good:

Ethical politicians, driven by a commitment to the public good, prioritize their constituents’ needs above personal gain or political maneuvering, making decisions based on what truly benefits the people. However, when ethical considerations are compromised, policy decisions become short-sighted and self-serving, benefiting a select few at the expense of the majority, leading to inefficient or harmful outcomes that reverberate through society like a poisoned well.

L’Oréal’s prioritization of efficiency over ethical counsel likely yielded short-term gains but potentially long-term ethical consequences. Similarly, politically expedient decisions may offer immediate advantages but ultimately harm the public good.

4. Accountability and Transparency:

Open Government: Ethical governance demands transparency and accountability, ensuring the public can scrutinize actions and hold officials responsible. Citizens deserve clear, transparent explanations of how decisions are made and how public money is spent, allowing them to scrutinize budgets and understand their impact. Unethical practices thrive in the dark corners of secrecy and opacity, shielded from public scrutiny. The lack of transparency makes it nearly impossible to trace the actions of politicians and hold them responsible for their deeds.

5. Role Modeling and Societal Values:

Setting the Standard: Politicians, as highly visible figures, often serve as role models, their ethical conduct—or lack thereof—casting a long shadow, shaping societal norms and values through their public actions and pronouncements. Consequently, when politicians consistently behave unethically, it normalizes such actions, leading to a broader erosion of moral standards, as if dishonesty has become the new norm.

6. Conflict of Interest and Influence Peddling:

Ethical frameworks aim to prevent conflicts of interest, such as when a politician’s personal financial gain could sway their votes on important legislation, potentially undermining public trust. However, without strong ethical guidelines, influence peddling and “quid pro quo” arrangements can flourish, leading to decisions based on personal favors instead of merit or the public good; the stench of corruption permeates every deal.

Solutions

We must reduce the sway of money in politics through campaign finance reform, lobbying reform, and stricter ethics rules. This includes stricter limits on campaign contributions, banning corporate/union donations, increased transparency in political spending, stricter lobbying regulations with detailed disclosures, stronger laws against politicians using office for personal gain (including financial disclosures, divestment, and post-employment restrictions), comprehensive and regularly updated ethics codes, stronger whistleblower protections, and truly independent ethics commissions with investigative and enforcement powers.

2. Stronger Enforcement

To improve ethics, oversight bodies need more resources and authority to investigate breaches effectively. Meaningful penalties (fines, suspension, removal) should be consistently applied, adjudication streamlined, and investigations publicly reported to maintain transparency and accountability. Specialized prosecution units should also be established.

3. Education (This is what I want to do and what JD Vance does not)

Media literacy equips citizens with critical skills to discern reliable information, identify misinformation, and understand the nuances of political discourse.

Deliberative democracy initiatives promote forums and programs that encourage thoughtful public deliberation on complex political issues. These initiatives foster respectful dialogue and understanding among citizens with diverse viewpoints.

Mandatory, recurring ethics training should be implemented for all elected officials and government employees. This training should emphasize ethical decision-making, conflict of interest avoidance, and the vital importance of maintaining public trust.

Promoting civic engagement means encouraging active and informed participation in the political process, such as voting, volunteering, and advocating for ethical practices.

Create a plan to improve political ethics by fostering a culture that values public service and integrity, demands accountability and transparency, reduces political polarization, and promotes ethical leadership. It emphasizes the importance of citizens actively holding officials accountable for unethical behavior.