TRACING ETHICS IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION: A STUDY ON TURKISH COUNCIL OF ETHICS

Abstract

This study aims to discuss the role and effectiveness of the Council of Ethics for Public Service in the improvement of ethical culture Turkish public administration within the framework of its structure, legislation and decisions. The study consists of three chapters. In the first chapter, the theoretical framework of the study is drawn on the basis of the understanding of governance. The history of the Council of Ethics for Public Service from its establishment to its development is explained in the second chapter. The third chapter includes an analysis of the Council’s functioning throughout a three years period from 2017 to 2019. The number and content of applications, the number of applications that have been accepted or rejected, the type of ethical breaches, the ethical principles that were determined to have been violated and the Council’s strategies to help improve and sustain the culture of ethics are evaluated in light of data obtained from the Council. Finally, the effectiveness of the Council of Ethics for Public Service is discussed, and recommendations are made in this regard.