What is the primary purpose of ethical considerations in public administration?

The primary purpose of ethical considerations in public administration is to ensure accountability and transparency. Ethical guidelines serve as a framework for public administrators to conduct their duties in a manner that is fair, just, and responsible. By emphasizing accountability, ethical considerations demand that public officials be responsible for their actions and decisions, ultimately promoting trust among citizens and stakeholders. Transparency further enhances this trust, as it allows stakeholders to see the processes and reasoning behind governmental decisions, thus fostering an environment where public officials can be held accountable for their actions.

While other options may contribute to the functioning of public administration, they do not capture the core focus of ethics. Enhancing governmental budgets may involve ethical considerations but is not its primary purpose. Increasing the number of policies could be a result of various factors, including political needs or administrative requirements, but is not directly aligned with ethical imperatives. Promoting employee satisfaction is important for workplace morale, yet this does not address the overarching obligation of public administrators to adhere to ethical standards that uphold public trust and integrity.