The Ethics of Politicians in the Governance of Elections
Elections are among the most important institutions in a democratic society. They determine who will write laws, administer governments, oversee public institutions, and make decisions that affect millions of people. Because elections determine who holds political power, the ethical conduct of politicians during an election is not a minor concern. It is fundamental to the health of democracy itself. Politicians are entitled to campaign. They are entitled to advocate for their policies, criticise their opponents, defend their records, and ask citizens for their votes. What they should not do is treat elections as personal contests in which the preservation of political power becomes more important than the integrity of the democratic process. The ethical responsibility of politicians should therefore extend beyond simply obeying election law. Something can be technically legal while still raising serious ethical questions. Elections Are Not Personal Property An elected o...
