Ethical conduct in public administration

This book, the result of a doctoral thesis, deals with aspects of ethical conduct at work in the public administration, based on the perceptions of public managers and advisors, occupying managerial or advisory positions in public bodies in Brazil. The participants presented how they perceived morality in the day-to-day work of public offices. The discussions are based on the reflections of thinkers from Critical Theory, in particular the works of Adorno, Horkheimer and Marcuse, and on the notes of Sigmund Freud in his reflections on culture and society. Two aspects were studied: the rationality and functioning of public administration; and the morality of the individual. The discussion of the data showed that both aspects have an effect on the morality and conduct of individuals at work. The study points to some indications to contribute to educational objectives that consider subjective and psychological aspects and that can have repercussions on morality at work.