Moral Dimensions of Statecraft: A Plea for an Administrative Theology

The issue of moral dimensions of the state and its statecraft is the focus of this article. The issue is premised on two questions: how do we secure moral responsibility of the state and its functionaries; and what can be done to enhance the sense of mission, dedication and service which used to be...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Canadian journal of political science 1987-12, Vol.20 (4), p.699-709
Main Author: Dwivedi, O. P.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Administration
Civil service
Government
Government bureaucracy
Government officials
Government services
Morality
Morals
Political ethics
Politics
Public administration
Public policy
RECTITUDE, MORALITY, GOODNESS (ALSO IMMORALITY)
STATES
THEOLOGY
Vocation
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Summary:The issue of moral dimensions of the state and its statecraft is the focus of this article. The issue is premised on two questions: how do we secure moral responsibility of the state and its functionaries; and what can be done to enhance the sense of mission, dedication and service which used to be the hallmarks of the public service? The concept of “administrative theology” is suggested as a possible answer in our search for a moral government and statecraft. Particular emphasis is placed on the concept of service and the doctrine of vocation. The author concludes by pleading the case of administrative theology as a possible source for a moral government and its statecraft. Cet article porte sur les dimensions morales de l'État et de sa politique, à partir des deux questions suivantes: comment peut-on garantir la responsabilité morale de l'État et de ses fonctionnaires et que peut-on faire pour rehausser le sens de la mission, du dévouement et du service qui a autrefois caractérisé nos services publiques? À cette fin, l'auteur présente la notion de « théologie de l'administration » comme étant une réponse possible à notre quête d'un gouvernement se dotant d'une morale politique. En particulier, l'auteur insiste sur la notion de service et sur la doctrine de la vocation et il termine en plaidant en faveur de la théologie de l'administration comme étant un moyen d'acquérir un gouvernement moral, y compris au niveau de ses politiques effectives.
ISSN:0008-4239
1744-9324
DOI:10.1017/S000842390005037X