All Americans are citizens of a local government, and we share a common hope that our municipalities operate with the highest ethical standards. But what does ethical behavior in local governments truly mean? Public ethics often differs from private morality - and the actions by our public officials may not always align with our personal definitions of right and wrong. This understanding is the importance of Ethical Behavior in American Local Governments.

This book offers a journey into public ethics through a variety of unique and insightful lenses. It begins by asking a question: Do our cities really have an ethical problem? To address this question, we look at concepts, including:

• Civic virtue and public ethics
• Not so obvious unethical behaviors: avoiding unethical traps
• Public leadership
• Public organizational culture
• Interest group pressure
• Ethical delivery of social services
• Ethics and technology
• The history of local ethics codes
• And more.

Whether you're a student preparing for a career in public service, teaching public administration or public ethics, or simply a citizen with an interest in and a passion for good governance, Ethical Behavior in American Local Governments offers an engaging and thoughtful journey into the world. We hope that you enjoy your journey through the fascinating world of governmental ethics and have a little fun along the way.