The Principal Goal of Government Ethics

I think it's important to remind ourselves about the alternative
government and economic system that exists in much of the world (and partially in islands throughout the U.S.) and
which government ethics programs are intended to protect us from.
That system was described succinctly in <a href="http://www.economist.com/world/europe/displaystory.cfm?story_id=1566186…; target="”_blank”">an
<i>Economist</i> article this week</a>:  a system in which "existing
institutions are just a device for the redistribution of property."<br>
<br>

Many American conservatives base their criticism of our own government
on the fact that it takes and redistributes property. But all
governments do that to some extent; there is no way for taxing and
spending to be neutral.<br>
<br>
What the <i>Economist</i> was referring to was redistribution not on the basis
of need, or even on the basis of political support, which is more
problematic. It was referring to redistribution of property on the
basis of personal and business relationships with those in power.<br>
<br>
Here is a more specific reference, but to the same country, Russia:<br>
<ul>
Putin ... practices a peculiar form of free enterprise that has
included a massive redistribution of property from one set of Kremlin
insiders close to Russia’s first president, Boris Yeltsin, to a new set
of cronies, most of them former KGB officials. (Michael McFaul, <a href="http://www.carnegieendowment.org/publications/index.cfm?fa=view&id=1988…; target="”_blank”"><i>Hoover
Digest</i> 2008, No. 1</a>)<br>
</ul>
This sort of redistribution can be seen, at a lesser level, in local
governments across America. It takes the form of no-bid and rigged
contracts, land deals, and development approvals given to the families,
friends, political supporters, and business associates of those in
power.<br>
<br>
It is these Russian islands in America, and the effect they have not only on local
government finances, but also on the morale and participation of citizens,
that conflict of interest, transparency, and procurement laws are
supposed to prevent. When we discuss these laws, it is important to
recall the alternative, and to recognize that it does exist here in
America, although you don't have to be a former intelligence official
to reap the benefits. We should be thankful that we have the right sort of
institutions, and that our society respects the rule of law.<br>
<br>
It is those who try to manipulate and undermine our institutions, and
who show disrespect for the rule of law, who are the principal targets
of government ethics.<br>
<br>
Robert Wechsler<br>
Director of Research-Retired, City Ethics<br>
<br>
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