What is Government Ethics?

Why This Work Matters Now?

Trust in government is at historic lows. Especially today, when our democracy faces challenges like disinformation, polarization, and urgent questions about justice, technology, and climate change — we can't afford to sit on the sidelines. Ethics is the bridge between power and public trust. If people don't believe leaders are acting fairly and transparently, no policy expertise will close that gap. That's why this Center matters.

The Center's Vision

Here at the Center, we believe government ethics is not about perfection — it's about accountability, transparency, and the humility to course-correct when needed. It's about fostering a "speak-up" culture where norms can be questioned, dialogue is encouraged, and new solutions can be built.

At the Markkula Center’s Government Ethics Program, we bring people together to wrestle with the toughest questions: What does it mean to lead with integrity in polarized times? How do we protect voting rights while embracing civic innovation? What ethical frameworks can guide us through new dilemmas — from AI to climate justice?

We don't just talk about ethics — we practice it. Through fellowships, student research, public events, and partnerships, we're preparing the next generation to lead with courage, transparency, and imagination. This is where civic power meets ethical imagination — a place where students aren't just learners, but leaders in the making, equipped to build a government that is fair, inclusive, and accountable to all.

What is Government Ethics? 

Government ethics is about trust. It means making sure that public power is used for the public good — not for personal gain.

But as James Baldwin reminded us, you cannot rebuild trust on illusions. You rebuild it by telling the truth — even when it’s uncomfortable — and by acting on that truth.

That starts with some basics: avoiding conflicts of interest, being transparent about decisions, and holding leaders accountable. These aren’t just rules on paper — they’re how we make sure people believe government is fair and effective.

In my own journey — as a mayor, councilmember, commissioner, and board chair — I’ve seen how fragile that trust can be, and how hard it is to earn. For me, ethics has always been about living what you say, not just talking about it. It’s about building a speak-up culture where people feel empowered to question “norms,” because that’s how we create better systems.

I often describe ethics as a bridge: on one side is power, on the other is trust. If that bridge breaks, people may see government as powerful but not fair. With ethics — through transparency, accountability, and integrity — we reconnect the two.

And ethics isn’t just about solving today’s problems. It’s also about foresight — anticipating tomorrow’s dilemmas. Whether it’s climate change, technology, or equity, the choices we make today ripple out for years. If we center ethics, cultural awareness, and plain language, we don’t just react to crises — we build trust before they arrive.

In short: Government ethics is the practice of making power trustworthy. It’s proactive, it’s inclusive, and it’s essential to strengthening the bond between leaders and the people they serve.

Why Trust Matters?

Trust is the invisible glue that holds institutions together. Without it, even the best policies or systems can crumble.

When people trust an institution, they believe decisions are fair, resources are used honestly, and rules apply equally. That trust gives leaders the space to act, communities the confidence to cooperate, and society the resilience to face crises.

Take something simple, like your local bus system. When buses run on time, drivers treat riders respectfully, and fares feel fair, people don’t think twice — they just ride. That’s trust at work. But if buses are always late, or if funding decisions are made unfairly, trust erodes. Riders stop showing up. The buses may still exist, but without trust, the system loses its value.

The same holds true for governments, schools, courts, or companies. Power without trust is like a bus with no riders: it can’t move anyone forward.

But here’s the caution: trust shouldn’t be confused with appearances. Some people or leaders look the part — polished words, symbolic gestures — but don’t live it in action. That’s performative trust, and it’s fragile. On the other hand, real trust is proven over time: not just in what people say, but in what they do.

And when accountability is needed, it should be rooted in facts and actions — not in scapegoating people for conditions outside their control. Otherwise, we punish the wrong things and let real breaches of trust slip by.

That’s why trust matters. It isn’t a soft value; it’s the foundation of effectiveness. Institutions run on trust the way engines run on fuel. Without it, they stall. With it, they move society forward.

What Does a ‘Speak-Up Culture’ Look Like? 

A speak-up culture is one where people feel safe — and even encouraged — to voice concerns, share ideas, or challenge assumptions without fear of retaliation. It’s not about being the loudest voice in the room; it’s about creating the conditions where honesty is valued more than silence. Silence is not neutral; it’s complicit. To speak up is to insist that truth has a place in the room.”

You see it in organizations that welcome questions instead of punishing them. Hospitals, for example, run daily safety huddles where staff can point out mistakes openly — not to assign blame, but to protect patients. The result? fewer errors and stronger teams.

Or in companies where leaders admit their own mistakes first. Satya Nadella at Microsoft shifted the culture with a simple phrase: “Don’t be a know-it-all, be a learn-it-all.” That gave people permission to question and grow without fear.

Denmark shows this at a national scale. It’s one of the happiest and most trusted societies in the world, in part because people are expected to speak openly. Workplaces have flat hierarchies, and institutions emphasize transparency so citizens can see how decisions are made. That trust works both ways — people believe their government is listening, and government trusts people to act responsibly.

But here’s the key: speak-up culture is not about weaponizing your voice to talk down to others or make yourself look superior. That’s just another form of control. Real trust is built when voices are used to surface problems, share perspectives, and push for fairness — not to score points. At the end of the day, it’s the actions that follow words that matter most.

In short: a speak-up culture looks like an environment where people know their voice matters — and where honesty builds trust rather than ego.

Proactive vs. Reactive Ethics

No one is perfect. Leaders, institutions, communities — we all make mistakes. That’s why ethics isn’t about expecting perfection; it’s about building practices that help us stay as true as possible to our values, even when pressures mount.

Too often, ethics is treated as reactive — responding only when something goes wrong. A scandal erupts, a policy fails, trust is broken, and then we scramble to repair the damage. That’s necessary, but it’s always too late. By the time the headlines hit, people’s confidence has already eroded.

That’s why my anchor belief is that ethics has to be proactive. Proactive ethics means anticipating dilemmas before they become crises. It means asking the hard questions up front: Who benefits from this decision? Who might be left behind? What risks are we ignoring?

Think of the many canaries in the coal mine around us. Rising seas, intensifying storms, biased algorithms, growing inequality — they’re not surprises. They’re early warning signs, telling us what will happen if we continue as usual. Proactive ethics is about paying attention to those canaries, not waiting until the mine fills with smoke.

We won’t always get it right — but foresight gives us a better chance. Ethics, at its best, is not just about punishing wrongs after the fact, but about planting seeds of trust before the cracks appear.

In short: reactive ethics cleans up the mess; proactive ethics listens to the canaries and prevents the spill. And while perfection is impossible, striving to be proactive is how we honor both our responsibilities today and the generations to come.

Moving Forward Together

As the first African American woman to hold this role, I take seriously the responsibility to model inclusive leadership and to open doors for others. Whether you're a student, policymaker, community leader, or simply someone who cares about democracy — you belong in this work. This is not the time to sit on the sidelines. This is the time to lean in — and reimagine what ethical public service looks like.

So welcome. We're building something vital here, and I'm so glad you're with us. Together, we can make integrity louder than apathy. Let's do the work, together."