The Fragility of Public Service: A Study ofRichard IIandMeasure for Measure

Abstract

Shakespeare dramatizes in Richard II and Measure for Measure his belief that public service is not merely a description of the purposes of public administration, but is also an aspirational ideal that implies commitment to professional standards and qualities of character. This ideal, however, is fragile because of weaknesses in human nature that interfere with development of ideal character, especially power and ambition. These are made worse by the awareness of the inevitable decay common to the human condition. Despite these challenges and limitations, the concept of a public service ethic should not be abandoned, but should instead be supported through professional and institutional norms. Shakespeare implies that these norms are not likely to emerge without extensive and deliberate commitment to ethical governance. This article shows how Shakespeare develops his theme of the fragile and precarious nature of public service and how he displays skepticism about the emergence of durable ethical norms. In order to counter this skepticism, the article concludes with some suggestions for how modern managers can overcome the obstacles Shakespeare presents and thereby help sustain the ideal of public service.The ideal of public service is deeply embedded in all societies that achieve stable, flexible, and responsive government, and enjoy the many benefits of liberal democracy. It also plays an essential role in the development of secure public institutions and the strengthening of bonds between citizens (Light, 1999). The ideal of public service, a commitment to act on behalf of the public good from a sense of duty rather than self-interest, is widely understood to be the epitome of ethical citizenship. However, defining this concept with precision is challenging, because ideals are difficult, if not impossible, to observe in action (March & Olsen, 1989). Understanding whether a public servant acts from devotion to public welfare or for more selfish reasons cannot be known with certainty. In order to recognize clearly what constitutes the public service ideal, one must possess a great deal of contextual knowledge, such as institutional history, individual character, cultural factors, and the many details of circumstance.One way to understand these factors is through an appreciation of contextual knowledge as presented in literature, especially literature in which characters struggle with the very values that undergird a public service ideal. This essay examines Shakespeare's insights into human nature and government to critique the contemporary ideal of public service and to explain how this ideal works to promote vital civic associations. Shakespeare's plays illuminate the living realities of the public service ideal and serve as exceptional case studies to aid our Correspondence should be sent to J.