Ethical dilemma:
The ethics of conflicting allegiances
August 2004
You have served loyally as the deputy to the leader of your political party for a number of years. You are are very committed to the success of your party and strongly believe in all that it stands for.
The leader is your mentor and a friend of many years. He is a person nearing retirement, but who has a burning desire to 'go with dignity'.
In recent weeks a number of your colleagues have pointed to the consistent evidence of opinion polls showing that your party's political fortunes will be ruined without a change of leadership. Your colleagues ask you to agree to make yourself available to contest the leadership.
Knowing the devastating impact that this will have personally on the current leader, it is only with the utmost reluctance that you agree 'to be drafted'.
Your colleagues ask for and receive your assurance that their approach will be kept strictly confidential (in part they know that the current leader will be a merciless opponent if his suspicions are aroused).
Later that evening, your leader calls you aside and states, "If you value our friendship, then tell me if you know anything of a challenge to my leadership. You owe me at least this much honesty".
Ethical questions:
- What are the issues?
- Who are the stakeholders?
- What should you do?
- What would you do?
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