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Teaching Campaign Ethics Using Web-Based Scenarios

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 October 2004

Peter W. Wielhouwer
Affiliation:
Campaign Ethics Consulting and General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems

Extract

Academics and politicians alike decry the deterioration of trust in American political institutions and in political participation. One oft-cited culprit for this deterioration is the conduct of campaigns for elective office, with especial ire focused upon political consultants and the consulting industry. The lack of a civil campaign ethic, it is said, means that the largely unregulated nature of political combat and speech generates campaigns rife with ad hominem attacks and “negative” ads that disgust, discourage, and alienate prospective voters. In response, some parts of the consulting industry have attempted to inculcate a higher level of campaign conduct through candidate and professional campaign codes. Another response is based in the several university programs that offer graduate degrees in political or campaign management, which include varying degrees of training regarding ethical considerations in campaigns.

Type
The Teacher
Copyright
© 2004 by the American Political Science Association

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