Democracy Archives | The Public Sphere

Interview with Dr. K.T. Connor on ethics and public life

Dr. K.T. Connor was a Senior Adjunct Professor with the MPPA program until recently, for over a decade and brings a wealth of experience in ethics, business as well as public leadership. She served as the Managing Director of Applied Axiometrics. She is the head of a virtual collaboration of consultants using decision-theory-based assessments in selection, development, coaching, team building, and succession planning. In this short interview, she shares some insights into public leadership, ethics and her work and association with former (late) President Jimmy Carter.

Tell us about your association with Jimmy Carter and the Carter Center

When I lived in Georgia, I was often driving from my island off the coast, to the Carter Center in Atlantic, for both conferences and then meetings. And I was so delighted to learn more and more about what the Carter Center was doing, and why. That’s when I became so impressed with the humanity and value-based approach of Jimmy Carter.

I continued to learn more about Carter when I would often attend his gatherings in Lake Tahoe, San Diego, and of course, Atlanta at the Center. It was so easy to relax at his events, and he was open to all of us.

I was so glad to get to see how down to earth Carter was. When I went to various places with him and others, he was so open to all there. And he still invited us down to his hometown, and it was so clear he was so much a part of the community.

One trip I flew from Atlanta to the west coast with all attending the special event at Lake Tahoe. He was so good going all over the plane and talking to all of us. He was relaxed and open and walked up and down the aisle to have a chat with all of us.

Carter is often spoken about as an ethical leader, do you agree? Can you elaborate on why you agree or disagree?

I certainly agree that he was an ethical leader. I followed his role as President of the United States, and saw that he valued service above self-interest. Yes, that often resulted in looking less effective now and then, but from what I saw, it was consistent with his desire to serve. He was open even to those who ran against him, as Gerald Ford’s son notes at Jimmy’s funeral. (He shared that Gerald and Jimmy became good friends, even though Carter had gotten more votes on the election than Ford.) Even when President, he showed he had principled leadership, and valued decency and justice as well as caring for others. Because of the complexity of US Presidency, his caring became even more obvious when he developed the Carter Center.

When he was no longer President, he decided to maintain his desire to serve, and value all, and created an impressive goal for the Carter Center. He developed an organization to work to help even powerless people, to have them have skills, knowledge, and resources to improve their own lives. This improvement included disease prevention, democracy increase, and human rights safeguard.

He also was known to commit to truth, not lying, and to the importance of improving oneself, as well as helping others do so.

What aspects of public life today are different from say, the 1960 or 70s when Carter was active, politically?

When he was active politically, he was still learning how to serve others. He also absorbed values through his church to care for others and oneself, and to promote peace. He did now and then make a decision that did not turn out as he expected, and he was seen as not one to reelect. As our country grew, much energy went to divisiveness and race division. But gradually we as a country tried to bring all together. Carter’s decision did contribute some of that.

Carter’s involvement with his work at the Center, on the other hand, showed what he had learned, in order to be more effective with his goals. His dealing with helping people in various countries, including our own, created wide efforts to help others.

Does public service motivation impact ethical values?

I feel it does if it focuses not only on oneself, and one’s ability to lead and serve, but also on others, especially those in need.

One of the things we learn from good servants is something we can learn from Jimmy. Power is often maintained to be desired by many. But Carter slowly showed this was not why he served.

He seemed to know that some power was appropriate. But also it seems he also felt that respect for others, and even care for others, was essential. In no time that I saw him, did he show he was worth bowing to. Rather, he could be seen as so humble, so many times.

This should be a model for all in public service. It is a real service. Yes, they should make sure no one violates the ability to provide the service required. But they should also care not only for themselves, but definitely, also for others.

What are specific ways in which Carter’s life can serve as an example for young public servants today?

One major thing I feel is to be sensitive to bringing people together, not apart. This can be a challenge now and then, but they should also be sure to build the skills needed to meet the goals of their position. But public service is service to others, to those who depend on the service. Public ethics lets the public servant value being socially constructive, idealistic, altruistic, and creative. This will enrich our world and hopefully bring us all closer together.

Any other thoughts on ethics and public service?

I feel someone in public service deserves to be comfortable with themselves, and value themselves. I also feel, however, that real public service is not to just focus on power. It is not being seen as needing to have others feel less about themselves, so that the servant can be seen as more perfect. Real service is reaching out to all, especially those for whom they are assigned, to help them grow and perform. And it is good that they did this also for others. Jimmy Carter definitely showed that this was good to do.

A Journey of Compassion and Insight: Reflecting on a Trip to Tijuana

Embarking on a trip to Tijuana, Mexico, with Dr. Sabith Khan as an MPPA student was a culmination of anticipation and eagerness, fueled by a yearning to delve into real-world issues and experiences. Having missed out on a previous opportunity due to lacking a passport, I was determined to seize this chance to explore and learn. Little did I know, the journey would profoundly expand my perspectives on the importance of public policies and fuel a desire for meaningful change in an area I knew little about.

Our first stop was at Xquenda Lab at El Colegio de la Frontera Norte, an open space for citizen science focused on the indigenous and migrant populations. Directed by Maximino Matus Ruiz and his team, the lab’s dedication to preserving indigenous languages through digitization was inspiring. Witnessing student research projects and indulging in sopes while overlooking the Mexican Pacific Coast fostered a sense of appreciation for educational initiatives driving social change.

Venturing further, our next stop was at Casa del Migrante, a sanctuary for migrants fleeing violence and seeking refuge. Run by dedicated social workers and volunteers, the facility offered essential services and support to individuals navigating the complexities of migration. Learning about the arduous journey migrants face, coupled with the bureaucratic hurdles of asylum-seeking, underscored the urgent need for policy reform and humanitarian intervention at all levels of the government. The facility can hold up to 200 people for up to 60 days. This conflicts with the 6 to 7 month current wait time for a hearing, so in the interim they help people build lives in Tijuana by securing employment, help to find housing, offer certification programs, and enroll children in school and provide childcare. The facility is funded by the Catholic Church, donations, and fundraising activities, and ran by staff and volunteers.

As a student of public policy and administration, the visit to Casa del Migrante was eye-opening. It shed light on the multifaceted nature of social issues and the imperative for compassionate, multi-dimensional solutions. The passion and dedication of the staff resonated deeply, reaffirming the power of empathy and advocacy in addressing systemic injustices.

Leaving Casa del Migrante, I was filled with a sense of urgency and purpose. The experience really prioritized the need to effect change and advocate for marginalized communities. It reinforced the importance of amplifying voices that are often silenced and the need for centering lived experiences and real stories in policy discourse.

Our journey concluded with a bittersweet visit to Friendship Park / El Parque de la Amistad in Playa de Tijuana, a binational park at the US -Mexico border. The park was inaugurated on Aug 18, 1971 by First Lady Pat Nixon. There were no border barriers of any kind at Friendship Park for generations. I couldn’t find the exact year that changed, but even after walls were built in 2011 San Diego Border Patrol officials still opened the park for limited hours each weekend through the slats of the wall. Over more recent years, this public access for US residents was restricted and in February of 2020, the park completely closed on the US side. Walking amidst murals and remnants of shared histories, I couldn’t help but feel the weight of missed opportunities for unity and solidarity. We did learn that there is a concentrated effort to reopen the park, and I sincerely hope there are ways for us as students to support it.

In closing, I extend heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Khan for his unwavering dedication to exposing students to diverse perspectives and social issues. His commitment to fostering experiential learning and nurturing compassionate leaders is truly commendable. Here’s to the next adventure, may it also be fueled by empathy, advocacy, and a responsibility and commitment to meaningful change.

Guest post – How The MPPA Helped My Career In SEO and Digital Marketing – Nicolai Andersen

In this article, I will highlight the surprisingly many ways that the MPPA program has contributed to the advancement of my career in digital marketing and search engine optimization (SEO). I graduated with my MPPA degree from Cal Lutheran in 2021. Shortly after, I relocated to Norway. Having worked for years with digital marketing in the U.S., I secured a marketing position in Oslo, which required a master’s degree. I later established an SEO bureau in Oslo.

Many have wondered why a digital marketer would pursue a degree in public policy. Upon reflecting, I can think of countless ways this program has helped me become a better marketer as well as a more well-rounded, informed professional.

Global Perspective

The SEO bureau currently serves clients from several countries across three continents. For technical and design support, we frequently collaborate with international freelancers. In essence, the global perspective I acquired not only from the MPPA program but also through studying abroad has greatly assisted me in conducting business within an international environment. This perspective has proven invaluable in comprehending cultural nuances, understanding diverse audiences, and navigating the complexities of the global marketplace.

Skills

I acquired a large number of skills during my time at Cal Lutheran. Notably, my research, analytical, communication, and advocacy skills witnessed significant improvement. These skills are not only convenient but also necessary for a career in digital marketing and SEO. Analytical proficiency, for instance, is crucial when dissecting search data, researching algorithm changes, conducting keyword research, and presenting results to clients.

Advocacy projects were integral components of several courses, contributing significantly to my growth as a marketer. They provided valuable lessons on tailoring messages to diverse audiences and the ability to effectively market or advocate for any product or company.

Furthermore, the skills gained through the process of academic paper writing have substantially enhanced my expertise in content marketing. Blog articles, for instance, often play a key role in SEO. Given recent updates to search engine algorithms, there is a heightened focus on well- crafted, valuable written content.

Upon reflection, the MPPA program has emerged as a cornerstone in my professional journey in digital marketing. The diverse skill set acquired, ranging from ethical considerations to an understanding of how public policy influences business, has not only broadened my horizons. It has also been instrumental in shaping me into a more adept entrepreneur, digital marketer, and SEO specialist.

You can visit my website at – https://seotjenester.no/

Is democratic choice impossible?

How to pick a solution that satisfies everyone? This problem has faced (and continues to face) all of us.

Should we all wear a mask or not? Should this be enforced? Go on vacation during a pandemic – or not? There seems to be a struggle among Americans to answer such basic questions. While a section of us is ok with many of the restrictions in public life, many others are aghast and invoke such ideals as ‘freedom,’ ‘liberty’ etc. to be able to do what they want. Is this irresponsible? Perhaps so. But the question still remains: How does one find a solution that helps aggregate all the preferences of a group of people.

The answer, I am afraid, seems to be that it is impossible.

At least, that is what the Arrow theorem suggests.

As Plato Stanford University points out “Arrow’s theorem says there are no such procedures whatsoever—none, anyway, that satisfy certain apparently quite reasonable assumptions concerning the autonomy of the people and the rationality of their preferences. The technical framework in which Arrow gave the question of social orderings a precise sense and its rigorous answer is now widely used for studying problems in welfare economics.”

By this logic, is democracy impossible? It seems so if one is to follow this logic.

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Amartya Sen has written a book on this topic and he writes in a short paper that these ideas of individual choice informing public decisions have been with us since the Enlightenment era.