"Public Policy: Why ethics matters" ed. by Jonathan Boston, Andrew Bradstock, David Eng

This book brings together original contributions from leading scholars and practitioners with expertise in various academic disciplines, including economics, philosophy, physics, political science, public policy and theology.

The volume addresses three main issues: fist, the ethical considerations that should inform the conduct of public officials and the task of policy analysis; second, the ethics of climate change; and third, ethics and economic policy. While the contributors have varying views on these important issues, they share a common conviction that the ethical dimensions of public policy need to be better understood and given proper attention in the policy-making process.

Ethics is a vigorously contested field. There are many competing moral frameworks, and different views about how normative considerations should inform the art and craft of governmental policy making. What is not in dispute, however, is that ethics matters. The ethical framework adopted by policy analysts and decision makers not only shapes how policy problems are defined, framed and analysed, but also influences which ethical principles and values are taken into account and their weighting. As a result, ethics can have a profound impact, both on the character of the policy process and the choices made by decision makers.

Table of Contents
Preliminary Pages
Preface
Biographies of contributors
Ethics and public policy Jonathan Boston, Andrew Bradstock, and David Eng
Part I?: Ethical foundations of public policy
Justice, humanity, and prudence Tom Campbell
Doing ethical policy analysis Michael Mintrom
The public servant as analyst, adviser, and advocate David Bromell
Be careful what you wish for John Uhr
Part II: Ethics of climate change
The most important thing about climate change John Broome
Recognising ethics to help a constructive climate change debate Andy Reisinger and Howard Larsen
Sharing the responsibility of dealing with climate change: Interpreting the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities Dan Weijers, David Eng, and Ramon Das
Virtue and the commons Xavier Márquez
Part III: Perspectives on ethics and the economy
Tackling economic inequality Andrew Bradstock
Is ethics important for economic growth? David Rea
Regulation of financial markets: Panics, moral hazard, and the long-term good Simon Smelt
An alternative reply to the free-rider objection against unconditional citizenship grants Julia Maskivker
References