3.1 Democratic Values that Provide Institutional Safeguards

These values are the guardrails of democracy. They keep government power legitimate by making sure decisions are made openly, fairly, and within the boundaries of law. They include principles such as the rule of law, accountability, transparency, fairness, ethics, and respect for plural voices.

In a democracy, these values reflect the principles that give government its legitimacy. Legitimacy means the public recognizes government authority as rightful because it is grounded in consent and adherence to shared rules. Fairness, accountability, and transparency are not only administrative goals but expressions of democratic ideals, which show that power is exercised openly and in service of the people.

These values are often described as institutional safeguards. Institutional safeguards are the rules, practices, and standards that prevent the abuse of power and make government actions predictable, consistent, and justifiable to the public. They protect individual rights, limit arbitrary decision-making, and create the conditions for citizens to trust and accept government authority.

When public servants ground their choices in these values, they build trust between citizens and government. In this way, the practice of public service becomes a direct extension of democratic life.

The following sections introduce several of the most important values. Each is explained in simple terms with examples that show what it looks like in practice.

Commitment to the Rule of Law Means Following Established Rules and Procedures

Definition: Commitment to the rule of law means that public officials and institutions act according to established laws and legal processes rather than personal preference or political pressure.

Description: The rule of law is a foundation of democracy because it places government under the same laws that apply to everyone else. It protects rights, limits arbitrary power, and creates consistency in how decisions are made. A central part of this principle is due process, which means that people are entitled to fair and regular procedures before government decisions affect their rights, property, or opportunities. Public servants show this commitment by applying laws fairly, respecting due process, and keeping their actions within the boundaries of legal authority. Even when rules slow down decision-making or require unpopular choices, adherence to the rule of law strengthens legitimacy by showing that government actions are lawful and predictable.

Examples:

• A city zoning board holds a public hearing before making a land-use decision, following the procedures required by ordinance.
• Police officers obtain a warrant before conducting a search of private property.
• A state agency rejects a contract bid that does not meet legal requirements, despite outside pressure to approve it.
• A housing authority provides tenants with a hearing and appeal process before eviction, protecting their right to due process. 

Accountability Means Being Answerable for Your Actions

Definition: Accountability means being answerable for your actions. It is the obligation of public servants to act in ways that are lawful and ethical.

Description: Accountability means public servants must be able to explain and justify their decisions and actions. It extends beyond delivering services to also include promoting civic participation and helping different organizations and groups work toward shared goals. Effective accountability often involves clear performance measures, regular reporting, and opportunities for public review or feedback.

Examples:

• A city department publishes an annual report showing progress toward its stated performance targets and explaining why some goals were not met.
• A public health agency holds a town hall to answer questions about how it spent federal grant funds during a vaccination campaign.

Transparency Means Making Information Open and Accessible

Definition: The practice of making information about government decisions, processes, and performance openly available and accessible to the public in a timely and understandable way.

Description: Transparency allows residents, journalists, advocacy groups, and other stakeholders to see how decisions are made and how public resources are used. It supports accountability by making it harder for misconduct, waste, or favoritism to go unnoticed. While transparency does not guarantee agreement with decisions, it helps build credibility by showing that actions are based on clear rules and documented reasoning. True transparency goes beyond simply posting documents. It involves presenting information in a way that people can find, use, and understand.

Example:

• A city launches an online budget portal where residents can see exactly how tax dollars are allocated and spent, updated in real time. The portal includes plain-language summaries, visual charts, and explanations for major spending decisions, making the data accessible to people without a background in finance.
• A city publishing its annual budget online in an interactive format that allows residents to see exactly how tax dollars are allocated and spent.

Fairness Means Treating People Equally 

Definition: Fairness is about treating people equally. Fairness means making decisions and delivering services in a way that is impartial, consistent, and grounded in established rules or standards.

Description: Fairness is about applying the same principles to everyone without bias or favoritism. It builds trust when people can see that rules are followed and decisions are made openly. This can involve clear eligibility criteria, transparent decision-making, and respect for due process, which requires that government actions affecting a person’s rights, benefits, or opportunities follow reasonable and established procedures. Fairness helps sustain the legitimacy of government by showing that benefits, responsibilities, and penalties are applied in a way that is consistent and defensible.

Examples:

• Using the same eligibility requirements for all applicants to a grant program.
• Following the same hiring process for every candidate for a public job.
• Applying traffic laws equally to all drivers regardless of their status or connections.
• Assigning public housing units according to a clear and consistent waiting list. 

Ethics Means Acting with Integrity and Responsibility 

Definition: Ethics are the shared principles and standards that guide how individuals and organizations in public service should act. Ethics is not only about choosing between right and wrong in a simple sense. It is about applying professional codes, democratic values, and community expectations to make decisions that serve the public interest.

Description: Ethics is a central part of democratic public administration. It goes beyond avoiding misconduct and includes fulfilling positive responsibilities to the public. Professional groups provide detailed codes of ethics. A code of ethics is a written set of principles that outlines the standards of behavior expected from members of a profession or organization. It provides guidance on how to act responsibly. In public service, codes of ethics set expectations for advancing the public interest, promoting fairness, and maintaining integrity in decisionmaking.

Ethics functions both as a democratic safeguard, because it protects the legitimacy of government, and as a professional standard, because public servants are expected to follow clear codes of conduct in their daily work.

Here are some relevant codes of ethics:

• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP): https://www.planning.org/ethics/ethicscode/
• American Society for Public Administration (ASPA): https://www.aspanet.org/ASPA/ASPA/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics.aspx
• International City/County Management Association (ICMA): https://icma.org/page/icma-code-ethics

Examples of ethical behavior:

• A city planner refusing gifts from a developer to avoid a conflict of interest.
• A budget officer reporting accurate figures even when the numbers are politically unpopular.
• A hiring manager ensuring all candidates are evaluated fairly and consistently.

Deliberation & Pluralism Mean Valuing Debate and Multiple Voices

Definition: Deliberation is the practice of open discussion where different viewpoints are considered before decisions are made. Pluralism is the recognition that diverse groups, interests, and perspectives should have a place in democratic governance.

Description: Democracies rely on more than majority rule. They depend on discussion, compromise, and respect for a variety of voices in order to arrive at decisions that reflect the public interest. Deliberation creates space for reasoned debate, while pluralism acknowledges that no single group should dominate the process. Together, they help produce policies that are better informed and more legitimate. Public servants support these ideals by creating opportunities for dialogue, weighing competing perspectives, and seeking common ground even when disagreement remains.

Examples:

• A city council hosts structured forums where residents, business owners, and advocacy groups present different perspectives on a proposed development.
• A school board works with parents, teachers, and community organizations to balance competing priorities in a new curriculum plan.
• A state legislature holds committee hearings where opposing interest groups testify before laws are drafted.

In Conclusion

Other democratic ideals, such as citizen participation, inclusiveness, social equity, and trust, are also essential to sustaining legitimacy in government. These values emphasize not only how institutions are held accountable but also how people engage in shaping decisions and how resources are shared across society. They are explored in later sections of this chapter, where their role in strengthening relationships between government and the public becomes clearer.

References

Bozeman, Barry, and Michael M Crow. 2021. Public Values Leadership: Striving to Achieve Democratic Ideals. John Hopkins University Press.

Denhardt, Janet V, and Robert B Denhardt. 2015. The New Public Service: Serving, Not Steering. Routledge.

Svara, James H. 2022. The Ethics Primer for Public Administrators in Government and Nonprofit Organizations. 3rd ed: Jones & Bartlett.