The virtue of rule-following: an Aristotelian analysis

Abstract

Although rules are central to public administration, opinions range widely on how they should be regarded. Especially those who subscribe to New Public Management believe that rules should not be the central concern. The opposite view holds that rules lie at the heart of public administration. This article uses Aristotle's idea of the mean between extremes as a conceptual tool to mitigate the opposition between rule followers and rule denigrators. The middle ground is the virtue of rule-following. The method is conceptual and uses an analysis based on Aristotle's virtue ethics to portray the virtue of rule-following in our time. Five elements stand out in Aristotle's definition of virtue: character, choice, the mean, rationality and the person of practical wisdom. These can be used today to support the virtue of rule-following in public administrators.