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280 Annals Am. Acad. Pol. & Soc. Sci. ix (1952)

handle is hein.cow/anamacp0280 and id is 1 raw text is: FOREWORD SELDOM in history have political institutions been subjected to greater scrutiny than at the present time. In a world where widely divergent theories of govern- ment are competing for acceptance, the fidelity and effectiveness of their institu- tions have become a matter of great concern to the adherents of each particular pattern. To those who hold to the democratic form, the matter assumes special importance. Since democratic institutions are an inseparable part of the demo- cratic way of life, the preservation of their basic character is essential. But more than an acceptable form is necessary; democracy must also provide responsible government, particularly so in times of stress. To the United States as the leader of the Western world, with major responsibility for the future course of events, effective government has become a matter of paramount importance. The prob- lem is one of many facets. This symposium is concerned with only one-honesty among public servants as an essential factor in effective government. In our volume The Crisis of Democracy in September 1933 we considered ethical stand- ards in public life as one in many problems of government; today it seems an ap- propriate subject for wider and more particular attention. The American system was born as an experiment; it is still an experiment. But it has grown up, and maturity brings greater responsibilities. No longer may we condone our indiscretions as those of infancy or adolescence. Maturity means placing greater responsibilities on public officials and holding them to their trust. It means greater recognition for faithful public servants and a willingness to back them up. It means an abandonment of the fatuous stereotype of many thought- less Americans that the public service is an inferior occupation and that honesty among public servants is not generally to be expected. On the contrary, ma- turity means giving to the faithful public servant as high esteem as Americans have traditionally bestowed upon the successful businessman. Political maturity connotes a high standard of ethics in government regardless of what the level may be in business or private life, and the community is entitled to insist that all public servants accept the fact. Again, political maturity involves acceptance of the principle that, although the prevention of'unethical practices is a nonpartisan mat- ter, the party in power must assume primary responsibility for what goes on under its auspices, and that it is no defense that revelations of skulduggery by the op- position are politically motivated. (But it does mean that criticism must be hon- est, that it must not be unfounded character assassination.) Finally, political maturity requires that we re-examine and reappraise public attitudes concerning standards for the public service. With what degree of insistence does public opin- ion demand honest government? What, first, is the attitude of the electorate? Again, how effectively do the press, the radio, the pulpit, and the educational in- stitutions promote higher standards? To what degree do the pressures of self- seeking groups inhibit legislation in the public interest and corrupt public ad- ministration? These are some of the pressing questions which an adult commu- nity attempts to answer. Difficult tasks have been assigned to our contributors. Theirs is the delicate undertaking of interpreting the civic conscience. Then there is the difficulty of recognizing the public interest amid the welter of conflicting private interests, and ix

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