Research On The "Dirty Hands" Problem In Public Management

The "dirty hand" problem not only exists in political life,but also exists in the field of public management.From an ethical perspective,the problem of "dirty hands" highlights the ethical conflict between purpose and means,namely,the purpose is justified and the means are immoral.In spite of this,the problem of "dirty hands" is always able to exist.Can the purpose justify the correct method? Facts have proved that the existence of the "dirty hand" problem has weakened the legitimacy of public management,brought about serious social harm,and deepened the public ethical crisis of our time.At this stage,however,academic research on the "dirty hands" problem in the public management field is rare,and even the existing views are biased.Therefore,we should transcend the limitations of existing theoretical research.Clarifying the “dirty hands” problem in public management not only helps people to reflect on the moral dimension of public management and the direction of the construction of public management ethics,but also helps public managers clearly define their responsibilities and normative behaviors.It also helps citizens to look more rationally at public managers and their behavior.This article uses the normative research method.First,the concept of "dirty hands" in the public management field is clarified,then its basic characteristics are summarized,and its ethical foundation is further analyzed.Secondly,by enumerating the representative “dirty hand” issues in the field of public management,combing the links between their behavioral performance and the actual ethical foundations,and then analyzing how “dirty hands” issues are morally defended,and Ethical analysis of moral defense.Once again,breaking the conventional analysis path,we have conducted an in-depth analysis of the root causes of the “dirty hand” problem based on the structural perspective.Finally,some ideas are provided to circumvent the "dirty hand" phenomenon in public management.In the final analysis,the root cause of the "dirty hand" phenomenon in the public management is structural factors.Although the existence of the "dirty hand" problem has its self-evident justifications,under normal circumstances,the legitimate purpose of public administration cannot justify the correctness of the means.The so-called "noble purpose" is only a cover of injustice.It is only a utilitarian explanation that does not respond to the moral requirements of legality.Legitimacy must also be questioned.Ultimately,we believe that by establishing a reasonable ethical foundation and seeking a fair institutional arrangement,to a certain extent,it will help ensure the legitimacy of public management means,so as to be able to prevent and circumvent the "dirty hands" problem in the field of public management.