Public Value Dynamics

Synonyms

Moral development; Changing ethics

Definition

Public value dynamics is the change and stability in the occurrence of and meaning attributed to public values over time.

Introduction

Administrative and political behavior that is considered good or appropriate in one context can easily be considered bad or inappropriate in another. Take, for instance, the sale of public office. While largely accepted in much of early modern Europe, this is mostly outlawed today. Another example is the practice of gift giving to public officials. It depends very much on context whether this is an acceptable form of payment, a gesture of trust, an obligatory ritual, or an act of bribery. In short, moral judgment (what is right or wrong behavior) largely depends on context of time and place. This in turn raises the important question when and why moral judgment – and with it public morality as such – actually changes. When and why, for example, did a public office cease to be considered personal...