Question 1

The study of the writings of Niccolo Machiavelli is are important for understanding

Accepted Answer

The study of Niccolo Machiavelli's writings, particularly "The Prince," is crucial for understanding various aspects of political theory and practice, including the use of power to maintain public welfare, the role of power in public policy decision-making, and the complexities and ethical dilemmas faced by those in public office.

Question 2

Appointees to high office such as cabinet positions or Supreme Court nominees have to go for hearings before the House.

Accepted Answer

Appointees to high office such as cabinet positions or Supreme Court nominees have to go for hearings before the Senate, not the House of Representatives.

Question 3

According to the authors, a sense of honor provides an individual with

Accepted Answer

A sense of honor acts as a moral compass for an individual, guiding their understanding of right and wrong, rather than conferring any formal titles, abilities for specific deeds, or justifications for illegal actions.

Question 4

Which of the followings are means through which Congress maintains oversight over public administration?

Accepted Answer

Congress maintains oversight over public administration through various means, including hearings, where they gather information and question officials, and casework, which involves helping constituents solve problems and in the process overseeing how government agencies operate. Whistleblowing is typically an act by employees or insiders exposing misconduct within an organization, not a method used by Congress for oversight.

Question 5

Lt. Colonel Oliver North's role in the Iran-Contra Affair serves to illustrate:

Accepted Answer

Lt. Colonel Oliver North's involvement in the Iran-Contra Affair showcases various issues, including conflicts in responsibilities as he navigated his duties versus the covert operations, his justification for misleading Congress based on his perceived greater good, and his personal interpretation of moral and ethical boundaries in the context of national security and foreign policy. These elements collectively illustrate the complexities and ethical dilemmas faced by public officials in high-stakes scenarios.

Question 6

Mark Felt's role as "Deep Throat," the informant in the Watergate scandal, is an example of the tension between maintaining honor and acting ethically.

Accepted Answer

Mark Felt, as "Deep Throat," revealed information about the Watergate scandal, showcasing the ethical dilemma of breaking confidentiality to expose wrongdoing, thus highlighting the tension between maintaining personal honor and acting in the public's ethical interest.

Question 7

Niccolo Machiavelli in 1532 wrote in The Prince, that the ruler should be free from vice and his character above reproach.

Accepted Answer

Machiavelli argued that a ruler should be willing to use deceit and act immorally if necessary to maintain power and protect the state, rather than being free from vice and above reproach.

Question 8

The notion that a sitting President could be sued by a private citizen in a civil suit for conduct alleged to have been committed before the President took office was upheld in the case, William Jefferson Clinton v. Paula Corbin Jones.

Accepted Answer

The Supreme Court's decision in Clinton v. Jones (1997) established that a sitting President does not have immunity from civil litigation against him for acts done before taking office and unrelated to the office.

Question 9

The statement that "it is necessary for him who lays out a state and arranges laws for it to presuppose that all men are evil and that they are always going to act according to the wickedness of their spirits whenever they have free scope," is attributed to:

Accepted Answer

This statement is attributed to Niccolò Machiavelli, a Renaissance political philosopher known for his work "The Prince," which discusses power dynamics and statecraft, often with a pragmatic and sometimes cynical approach to human nature.

Question 10

Which of the following is a reason that public administrators should understand the Constitution according to David H. Rosenbloom?

Accepted Answer

David H. Rosenbloom emphasizes the importance of understanding the Constitution for public administrators for several reasons, including ensuring that managerial and political approaches align with constitutional principles, recognizing the significance of oaths to support the Constitution, and avoiding personal liability for actions that contravene constitutional mandates.

Question 11

The higher law defense is often appealed to by people who

Accepted Answer

The higher law defense is used by individuals to challenge existing laws or practices, make conscientious objections, or argue that there is a higher spiritual or moral law that supersedes state laws, encompassing all the options provided.

Question 12

Modern concepts of honor can be traced from Aristotle to medieval chivalry, to aristocratic dueling codes, to the modern concept of the obligations of a gentleman.

Accepted Answer

The evolution of the concept of honor has historical roots in Aristotle's ethics, where honor is tied to virtue and the good life. This concept evolved through medieval chivalry, which emphasized bravery, courtesy, honor, and great gallantry toward women. Aristocratic dueling codes later formalized notions of honor in combat and personal disputes. These traditions influenced the modern concept of the obligations of a gentleman, which includes integrity, respect, and ethical behavior.

Question 13

The 1998 Supreme Court decision in William Jefferson Clinton v. Paula Corbin Jones held that

Accepted Answer

The Supreme Court's decision in Clinton v. Jones established that a sitting president is not immune from civil litigation for acts done before taking office and unrelated to the office.

Question 14

Aristotle introduced the concept of the "sovereign's lie" referring to lies for the public good.

Accepted Answer

The concept of a lie told for the public good, often referred to as a "noble lie," is most famously associated with Plato, not Aristotle. Plato discusses this concept in his work "The Republic."

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT included in the four levels of ethics

Accepted Answer

Political values and corporate social responsibility are not typically categorized under the four levels of ethics, which generally include personal morality, professional ethics, organizational codes of conduct, and global ethics.

Question 16

Many civilian government agencies have codes of conduct and formal guidelines for ethical behavior. Their objective is to ensure that employees refrain from using their official positions for private gain or other wrongful purposes.

Accepted Answer

These codes of conduct and ethical guidelines are designed to maintain integrity and public trust by preventing conflicts of interest and ensuring that employees act in the best interests of the public and the agency, rather than for personal gain.

Question 17

The "dirty hands dilemma" occurs

Accepted Answer

The "dirty hands dilemma" refers to situations where public administrators or officials may feel compelled to engage in morally questionable actions for the sake of achieving a greater public good. This concept acknowledges the ethical complexity in decision-making processes, especially in governance and public administration, where the ideal choice is not always clear-cut.

Question 18

Lobbyists often offer expensive gifts, such as foreign "junkets," sports tickets, and other things of value to unlawfully influence Congresspersons to vote in a partisan way, this is a form of bribery.

Accepted Answer

Offering expensive gifts to influence Congresspersons' votes is considered a form of bribery, as it seeks to unlawfully sway legislative decisions through personal gain rather than through legitimate means of persuasion or argumentation.

Question 19

It can be argued that public officials in a democracy may be excused at times from the obligation of truth telling. When a high public official feels it necessary to not tell the truth, then this is an example of:

Accepted Answer

A royal lie is a lie told by a high public official for the good of the state.

Question 20

The notion that organizations are obsessive with accountability-especially public organizations, was posited by management scholar Edwards Demming and Herbert Simon.

Accepted Answer

The notion that organizations, especially public ones, are obsessed with accountability is not specifically attributed to Edwards Deming or Herbert Simon. While both made significant contributions to management theory, the focus on accountability in organizations is a broader concept discussed by many scholars and practitioners across various fields, not uniquely or primarily associated with Deming or Simon. Deming is best known for his work in quality management and continuous improvement, while Simon made significant contributions to decision-making processes and administrative behavior.

Quiz 5: Honor, Ethics, Accountability