Examine the role that ethical, cultural, religious, and moral principles play in the formulation and execution of public policy by lawmakers and other public officials. Topics include domestic and international policy, justice, equality, fairness, individual liberty, free enterprise, charity, and human rights.
This course discusses the role ethical, moral, and cultural principles play in how lawmakers and public officials formulate and execute public policy.
After studying the foundational theories of ethics and morality in politics, we review arguments about issues in domestic and international policy from a variety of perspectives. Common themes in ethics debates include justice, equality, fairness, individual liberty, free enterprise, charity, fundamental human rights, and minimizing harm to others. These themes are integrated into various decision-making models, such as the utilitarian approach, the fairness and justice approach, and the rights approach.
When executing public policy, it is impossible to avoid harming others. Public policy often requires a redistribution of resources, denial of rights or privileges, or promotion of one group at the expense of another. We use decision-making frameworks to help balance competing interests to make the best decision, or the one that causes the least amount of pain. We examine five types of decision frameworks used to make and implement public policy, and rationales used to justify inequitable impact and outcomes of policies.
- Unit 1: The Role of Ethics and Morality in Politics
- Unit 2: Theoretical Frameworks for Analyses of Ethical Dilemmas
- Unit 3: Individual Liberty, Public Safety, and Justice
- Unit 4: Income Taxation, EEO Compliance, and Affirmative Action
- Unit 5: Care for the Poor, Sick, Elderly, and Infirm
- Unit 6: Issues Involving Families and Relationships
- Unit 7: National Security and Foreign Relations
- Explain how personal morality and ethics impact the policymaking process;
- Discuss various ethical frameworks used to resolve policy dilemmas;
- Describe policy arguments pertaining to individual liberty, public safety, and justice;
- Identify dilemmas related to tax policy, equal employment opportunity, and affirmative action;
- Discuss policy considerations related to care for the poor, sick, elderly and infirm;
- Describe ethical implications concerning families and relationships; and
- Explain the ethical concerns governments face regarding national security, foreign relations, trade, and military intervention.