Information technology, GIS and democratic values: Ethical implications for IT professionals in public service

摘要

Information technologies (IT) play a critical role in transforming public administration and redefining the role of bureaucracy in a democratic society. New applications of IT bring great promises for government, but at the same time raise concerns about administrative power and its abuse. Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) as the central example, this paper provides the philosophical underpinnings of the role of technology and discusses the importance of an ethical discourse in IT for public service professionals. Such ethical discourse must be based on upholding the democratic values and preserving the institutional integrity of IT professionals in public office.