What are the basic principles of public life? Illustrate any three of these with suitable examples. (150 words)10
Approach:
First give a brief about basic principles of public life, and then illustrate any three with examples.
The basic principles of Public Life
Selflessness
Holders of public office should take decisions solely in terms of the public interest. They should not do so in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends.
Integrity
Holders of public office should not place themselves under any financial or other obligation to outside individuals or organisations that might influence them in the performance of their official duties.
Objectivity
In carrying out public business, including making public appointments, awarding contracts, or recommending individuals for rewards and benefits, holders of public office should make choices on merit.
Accountability
Holders of public office are accountable for their decisions and actions to the public and must submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their office.
Openness
Holders of public office should be as open as possible about all the decisions and actions that they take. They should give reasons for their decisions and restrict information only when the wider public interest clearly demands.
Honesty
Holders of public office have a duty to declare any private interests relating to their public duties and to take steps to resolve any conflicts arising in a way that protects the public interest.
Leadership
Holders of public office should promote and support these principles by leadership and example. These principles apply to all aspects of public life.
Selflessness
- Central to the Committee’s definition of selflessness is the view that those in public life should not just avoid acting for private gain, but also actively seek to undertake their role in the public interest.
- This applies whether or not the functions of a regulatory body include any explicit ‘public interest’ references.
- Everybody working for a regulator should not just follow due process in their decision making, but also take active steps to act ethically in their role.
- In order to aid this, regulatory bodies should maintain an organisational culture of serving the public. Only through putting organisational and personal self-interest aside, can regulators support their function of independent regulation in the public interest.
Integrity
- Fundamental to the principle of integrity is the absence of inappropriate influence. Regulators must be seen to make evidence-based decisions without prejudice and with integrity in order to operate at an arm’slength from government and the profession and remain impartial towards the regulated sector or profession, avoiding obligation to anyone.
- On the one hand, regulators are created to enforce the law independently from government and those they regulate. On the other, they are encouraged to engage with regulated bodies and individuals to promote compliance.
- Regulators must then maintain a culture of independence so they resist pressure from both sides and make decisions in the public interest. The evidence to the Committee makes it clear that regulatory bodies greatly value their independence, and recognise that their legitimacy is dependent upon maintaining their integrity.
- This must be transparent to the public. Reputation matters. When the public loses trust in the integrity of the regulator, it can become impossible for the regulator to perform its function.
Accountability
- Regulators are accountable to various stakeholders, both directly and indirectly. Directly, they are typically accountable to the government and/or Parliament, audited by the National Audit Office, and subject to judicial review by the courts and/or appeals against their formal decisions.
- Indirectly, not least through the media, they are accountable to the regulated sector or profession, stakeholders, consumer groups, and the public more widely.