American Society for Public Administration Code of Ethics

• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1111/puar.12384
• Published date: 01 May 2015
• Date: 01 May 2015

342 Public Administration Review • May | June 2015

Public Administration Review,

Vol. 75, Iss. 3, pp. 342. © 2015 by

The American Society for Public Administration.

DOI: 10.1111/puar.12384.

American Society for Public Administration Code of Ethics

T he American Society for Public Administration

(ASPA) advances the science, art, and practice

of public administration. The Society affirms

its responsibility to develop the spirit of responsible

professionalism within its membership and to increase

awareness and commitment to ethical principles and

standards among all those who work in public service

in all sectors. To this end, we, the members of the

Society, commit ourselves to uphold the following

principles:

1. Advance the Public Interest . Promote the

interests of the public and put service to the

public above service to oneself.

2. Uphold the Constitution and the Law .

Respect and support government constitu-

tions and laws, while seeking to improve laws

and policies to promote the public good.

3. Promote Democratic Participation . Inform

the public and encourage active engagement

in governance. Be open, transparent, and

responsive, and respect and assist all persons

in their dealings with public organizations.

4. Strengthen Social Equity . Treat all persons

with fairness, justice, and equality and respect

individual differences, rights, and free-

dom. Promote affirmative action and other

initiatives to reduce unfairness, injustice, and

inequality in society.

5. Fully Inform and Advise . Provide accurate,

honest, comprehensive, and timely informa-

tion and advice to elected and appointed

officials and governing board members, and to

staff members in our organization.

6. Demonstrate Personal Integrity . Adhere to

the highest standards of conduct to inspire

public confidence and trust in public service.

7. Promote Ethical Organizations . Strive to

attain the highest standards of ethics, steward-

ship, and public service in organizations that

serve the public.

8. Advance Professional Excellence . Strengthen

personal capabilities to act competently and

ethically and encourage the professional

development of others.

Approved by the ASPA National Council March 16, 2013,

along with Practices for carrying out the Code available at

www.aspanet.org/CodeofEthics . In 2014, the Ethics

and Standards Implementation Committee was created

to advance awareness of ethics in public service, provide

advice and assistance to members in handling ethical

problems, and review and seek to resolve ethics complaints

regarding members who may have violated the Code.