Mission Mains 2021: GS 4 Ethics Discussion

Ethics - RTI/Transparency

Some recent developments such as introduction of RTI Act, media and judicial activism, etc., are proving helpful in bringing about greater transparency and accountability in the functioning of the government.

However, it is also being observed that at times the mechanisms are misused. Another negative effect is that the officers are now afraid to take prompt decisions.

Analyze this situation in detail and suggest how this dichotomy can be resolved. Suggest how these negative impacts can be minimized. Mains 2015 (150 words)

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It's a good answer. Some more points:

- Encouraging officers to take decisions by rewarding them for success.

- Encouraging participation of people in governance through trust building measures.

- judiciary can restrict itself in crossing the boundaries by coming out with norms for judicial activism.

Conclusion is a lil abrupt. You can write that - thus, there is need to resolve the dichotomy between the need for transparency and accountability and protecting honest civil servants from undue harassment and the above measures can help in resolving the same.

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https://drive.google.com/file/d/13jBSYHrbvHtkvWwKMpwnB61JuXUHar9x/view?usp=sharing

Q. It is often said that poverty leads to corruption. However, there is no dearth of instances where affluent and powerful people indulge in corruption in a big way.

What are the basic causes of corruption among people? Support your answer with examples. Mains 2014

It is often said that‘politics’ and ‘ethics’ do not go together.What isyour opinionin this regard?Justifyyour answer with illustrations. Mains 2013

Young people withethical conduct are not willing to come forward to join active politics.Suggest steps to motivate them to come forward. Mains 2017

@upsc2020 and others, how you would have written ans on politics and ethics ? some examples also.

1.Though you covered in intro that politics + Ethics part of same coin. But can explicitly mention, what's your opinion. 

2. You have given more examples on politics without Ethics= disastrous.

3. (Politics + ethics) need more elaboration. 

overall good effort. 

If 1s close peer in finance dpt of the same comp misappropriates funds of a dormant account 4 urgent medical needs of daughter after exhausting all options ,having no insurance and then discloses it 2 him saying started repaying it,wht shuld b 1 future course of action?? @upsc2020 @rashiv @TheNotorious 

1. No public fund can be utilised for any personal reasons. 

2. One can empathize with the situation but you have to urge him for full disclosure. 

Also, this situation is slightly unlikely in a government setup as everyone's covered under Health Schemes. So encourage and make him aware of the various schemes. 

Is this a question from some test series ?

Future course of action 

1. Talk to your close peer and convince him to voluntarily disclose his attempt at misappropriation 

A. If he doesn’t do that, then you must notify relevant authority immediately about the incident and potential misappropriation 

2. As@upsc2020 pointed out, since the peer is part of government employment he/she will be covered a health guarantee scheme. So daughter’s health expense will be taken care of 

3. If for some vague reason, not covered under insurance then 

A. Tell the peer to take a loan on existing collateral 

B. Help the friend in a personal capacity via monetary aid/loan 

C. Advice the friend to use services of government hospital ->inexpensive 

4. Encourage the peer to make use of financial advisory services for better money management in future 

Rousseau proclaimed that the person who would separate politics from ethics will fail to understand both.The main debate about this issue pertains to the choice of meansthat should betaken to pursue the ends. In this regard, it should be noted that politics, without ethics, is purposeless. 

Politics, without an ethical base, will only become a means to perpetuate oppression and exploitation.Though it is also true that in the era of coalition politics, criminalisation of politics and diverse demands and aspirations of people, it has become difficult for a politician to be in power on ethical grounds. But, losing ethical grounds for the sake of power leads to the destruction of the basic objective of coming to power. It is only when politics is guided through an ethical framework that the good of the society is produced. 

Gandhiji also acknowledged this deep connection between politics and ethics. (There is some quotation also he said). It is ethics which differentiates one political leader from another. For example, Hitler's politics devoid of ethics is an example of inhuman conduct.

Thus, ethics and politics are intertwined at the foundation as "Politics is nothing but ethics in public".

@rashiv

@Agog

Machiavelli through his writing in Prince began the discourse of amoralisation of politics. He believed that politics and ethics are not intertwined. Politics has its own ethics and morality which must be used by the ruler to protect the State and promote citizen welfare. Eg Russia’s annexation of Crimea on grounds of national security. 

The above trend has given rise to power centric politics where politics has become a means to gain power. It has drifted away from its main goal of serving the needs of people, the fundamental principle of Representative democracy. 

Gandhiji recognised the perils of complete separation of ethics and politics, and hence was a proponent of 

1. Gram sabha- decentralised form of government where community worked for welfare than politics.

2. Role of dharma in politics- Gandhiji believed that all those who engage in politics must stay on the path of dharma, I.e serving needs of antyodaya. 

India has shown the path where politics and ethics are combined. In local politics , 6th schedule of the constitution ensures tribals are empowered via decision making powers. In national politics, constitutional morality dictates the political discourse. Eg DPSP serves as guiding light for policy formulation. Lastly in international politics, India has always supported world peace and inclusive development. 

@rashiv 

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