Ethics Training for Local Councillors: An Innovation for Public Management

Being an elected official requires no qualifications. All you need is to be a citizen. Elected representatives are the bearers of ideologies, ideas, and political projects which, in theory, not only aim to enhance the common good but, in practice, can also lead to clientelism. The role of elected representatives is becoming increasingly complex, against a backdrop of economic and ecological crises and public mistrust. Citizens want to participate in public debate, and elected representatives take their opinions into account when making decisions. Councillors may make decisions to please their electors, or by opportunism and self-interest, with or without regard for their own ethical values. The elected official’s objective and performance indicator is re-election. They fear being punished by their electors and may make decisions without having or sharing a common vision of public ethics. A number of scandals in France and other countries have prompted public authorities to set up systems to identify and ensure compliance with ethical rules. Indeed, the growing complexity of the role of elected representatives makes it difficult to behave in accordance with the law and ethical standards and calls for increased training and, perhaps, stricter control of their actions. States are innovating in this respect. On the basis of a series of interviews with French elected representatives and experts, we report on the following issues.