Governments Roles in Creating An Ethical Society Wenhao

Government’s Roles in Creating An Ethical Society Wenhao Cheng School of Public Policy & Management Tsinghua University June 16 th, 2005 Hong Kong

Why An Ethical Society? ¨ A valuable platform for everyone ¨ Political and Social Stability ¨ Economic Development: transaction cost is low ¨ Human development

What Is An Ethical Society? ¨ Rule-based ¨ Respects and rewards integrity, honesty and fair play ¨ Can effectively identify, prevent and punish unethical behaviors ¨ Can develop a sustainable integrity culture

How to Achieve An Ethical Society? ¨ Each player should play a constructive role ¨ Players should reinforce each other ¨ An ethical government is the key

Cornerstones of An Ethical Society Businesses Citizens Government NGOs

Government: always at the center Businesses Government Citizens NGOs

An Ethical Government Is the Key ¨ Government SHOULD be clean, ethical and accountable to the people ¨ Role model and demonstration effect ¨ If government fails to achieve integrity, it will also fail to check the behaviors of others

Government Should Take the Lead by ¨ Respecting and following the rules ¨ Achieving a corruption-free public service system ¨ Having transparent operations ¨ Keeping its words ¨ Honestly admitting its mistakes and paying all necessary costs

Government’s Role in Promoting the Integrity of Other Players Businesses Government Citizens NGOs

Government Should Assure that Businesses ¨ Are clean in dealing with government ¨ Obey laws on taxation, quality, environmental protection, etc. ¨ Demonstrate strong social responsibilities

Government Should Assure that NGOs ¨ Have good governance structure ¨ Are held accountable both to their members and to the public ¨ Have transparent operations ¨ Are not abusing public trust

Government Should Assure that Citizens ¨ Respect honesty and fair play ¨ Respect and follow rules ¨ Have strong commitment to public interests

Government should ¨ Establish an effective credit system to prevent fraud and other unethical behaviors ¨ Conduct integrity education for young people and professionals ¨ Promote integrity culture within a society

Interactions of All Players Businesses Government Citizens NGOs

Ethical Society Businesses Citizens Government NGOs

What the Mainland Can Learn from the Success Stories of Hong Kong? ¨ Clean and Accountable Government ¨ Trade Associations’ active roles in promoting integrity within the industries ¨ Corporate Social Responsibilities ¨ Integrity Education and Culture

Thank you！ Contact Information: chengwenhao@tsinghua. edu. cn 100084 北京 清華大學公共管理學院 程文浩