Essay Sample on Statesmanship and Civic Administration: A Political Leader's Duty

Introduction

Statesmanship goes together with civic administration. The person who is considered a statesman must have the relevant skills to manage public resources and affairs. Mostly the term statesmanship is used to describe a politician or a public official that performs a civic duty. The holders of state offices are either appointed or elected through an election by the public. A statesman practices statesmanship for the common good of society. A political leader who has been given an authority courtesy of the public must exercise the powers of that offices, and the administrative duties in a responsible way and must always seeks the consent of the houses of parliament so that they do not act according to their will (Newswander, 2017). This paper focuses on a peer-reviewed article that covers the topic of the statesmanship case study.

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The case study of a statesman this paper focuses on is the 3rd president of America Thomas Jefferson. He was an American statesman who was government the responsibility of the state at a time when the country needed visionary leadership. The ethical considerations in the case study help us understand statesmanship more (Newbold, 2005). Ethical considerations mean the principles and values that guide human affairs on what is wrong or right. The public should evaluate a leader based on ethics guided by what is good or bad for the society that the statesman leads (Dutelle & Taylor, 2017).

Political leaders and leaders can have strong principles and ethics that guide them in public duty. However, at times, the same statesman may find himself in the administration of functions going against these same values and principles that are contrary to the expectation of the public (Dutelle & Taylor, 2017).

Observance of the Constitution

Thomas Jefferson was a statesman and was expected to follow the constitution guide in implementing his duties as the president. America is an old state and is a free world, upholding constitutionalism is essential, and any leader who goes against it is seen as contempt for the American People. The constitution enables a public servant to administer duties in a guided and controlled manner to avoid personal interest taking over, and Thomas Jefferson based his gudance by that notion (Newbold, 2005). It is the constitution that ensures the preservation of the sate so that when one leader exits the other leader can take over and that way the sate remains forever so long as the constitutionalism and the rule of law is there. However, there are complexities related to ethics that arise in a democratic country like the United States, and thus Thomas Jefferson being a good leader as he thought he was, still had some situations that were considered unethical for a pubic leader (Newbold, 2005).

Adherence to the Laid Down Procedure

Every public institution has a laid down procedure. Thomas Jefferson erred in the purchase of the Louisiana territory from France. He did it without consulting and getting consent from congress. The constitution expects a leader to seek the support of the elected members before embarking on a decision that is in the interest of the state. Lack of consultation boils down the ethics of the leader who may other elected leaders in content and thus sees no need to consult them (Newswander, 2017).

Personal Principles

Personal principles form the mix that guides a leader on the decisions he or she makes. These decisions should be ethical for them to be acceptable to the public. The personal principles shape the character of the leader and determine the direction his policies take in the interest of the people (Dutelle & Taylor, 2017). Thomas Jefferson personal principles as a leader have always been a subject of discussion by historians. They hold a critical view over his decision to enter into an agreement with France on the purchase of Louisiana (Newbold, 2005). Political leaders sometimes find themselves in dangerous situations that require them to make personal decisions in the interest of the state. In addition to the guidance of their advisers, the leaders' principles play a critical role (Newswander, 2017).

Personal Interest vs. State Interest

Sometimes the conflict between the private interest of a statesman and the best interest of the state may arise. At this point, the decisions made by the person are on an ethical basis (Dutelle & Taylor, 2017). Leaders get guidance from their own emotions and feelings and the requirements of the constitution that governs how decisions in the interest of the public should be carried out. President Jefferson had to preserve his presidency and appear competent in negotiating the Louisiana territory issue with France. It had an impact on America's international interest and security, but that information could not be made public (Newbold, 2005). At some point, it became a moral issue which directly translates to ethical consideration in public service. Political leaders sometimes have information that should not be made public, and they use that information to make decisions. More often than not, these decisions are not understood by everyone who gives rise to ethical questioning of the basis on which those decisions were made (Newswander, 2017).

Conclusion

Thomas Jefferson, as the article states, was a statesman who had to make critical decisions at critical points in history. Decisions made by statement and other leaders in public service are given an ethical consideration because they are sometimes made individually in the interest of the public. It guides the ethics and morals that the public uses to describe a political leader who shapes perception.

References

Dutelle, A. W., & Taylor, R. S. (2017). Ethics for the public service professional. CRC Press.Newbold, S. P. (2005). Statesmanship and ethics: The case of Thomas Jefferson's dirty hands. Public Administration Review, 65(6), 669-677.Retreaved from: https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=Newbold%2C+S.+P.+%282005%29.+Statesmanship+and+ethics%3A+The+case+of+Thomas+Jefferson%27s+dirty+hands.+Public+Administration+Review%2C+65%286%29%2C+669-677.

Newswander, C. B. (2017). Administrative ethics and executive decisions: Channeling and containing administrative discretion. Routledge.