Democracy is more ethical than other forms of government – it is the foundation for individual rights and gives people political equality

Without ethics, democracy cannot survive. At its core, democracy is an ethical concept and an ethical way to govern because it is built on a foundation of individual rights, political equality, a fair governing process and justice. Democracy is a form of government in which political power is vested in the people, which means the process by which we adopt policy is as important as the policy we adopt. When our leaders engage in behavior that undermines democratic principles, our democracy is compromised. Principled leadership is at the core of American democracy. While morals and ethics are not identical concepts, integrity is central to both moral and ethical leadership. Government ethics is based on the obligation we all have to uphold individual rights; to recognize the costs and benefits of a specific public policy; and to ensure fairness in both the process and the outcome. These all require integrity and openness in the governing process. From our very beginning as a nation, we have placed high value on economic security and homeland security, but we have also believed in and aspired to something even greater. Our mission is twofold. We must do things right and do the right things. The character of our citizenry and the character of our leadership determine how strong we are as a nation. The word "character" is derived from a Greek word that denotes a marking or imprint on a coin. Coins are a form of currency, and different markings reflect different monetary values. Just as a coin’s imprint reflects its value in the marketplace, a person’s imprint on society determines the value he or she adds to, or subtracts from, our world. In this great experiment we call the United States of America, ethics are central to preserving and protecting our nation. Unethical leaders, and even unethical citizens, who put their own interests above the interests of our nation weaken our democracy. To be our strongest, we must all aspire to live our lives with high character.