Question : 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.
(2014)
Question : Indicate two more attributes which you consider important for public service. Justify your answer.
(2013)
Answer : Hints: Impartiality as a principle of justice prescribes to public servants that decisions should be based on objective criteria, rather than on the basis of bias, prejudice, or preferring the benefit to one person over another for improper reasons. It is necessary for promoting equality in the society that public servants work in an impartial manner.
Question : How the application of ethics is helpful in understanding the concept of biodiversity?
Answer : Ethics and biodiversity are interconnected. The relations between ethics and biodiversity can be simplified to mean a relation between actions of human beings and their impact on all other life forms. Values are the center point of all human actions; these can take the understanding of human beings far away from simply economic value attached with the exploitations biodiversity resources to a broader, deeper and richer understanding of biodiversity.
Question : “The state as a trustee is under moral duty to protect natural resources. These resources meant for public use cannot be converted into private ownership”. How much you agree with this statement?
Answer : Hints: Approach: The question is in reference to SC judgment in the 2G scam case. And also this question can be solved by referring to the concept of sustainable development.
Question : Explain the following terms with suitable examples:
(b) Ethics in Information Technology
Answer : Hints: The planning process exists to serve the public interest. While the public interest is a question of continuous debate, it requires a conscientiously held view of the policies and actions that best serve the entire community.
Question : “The law recognizes mitigating factors, but ethical duties require a higher standard.”
Answer : Hint: Law consists of a series of rules that prescribe the duties that individuals owe to third parties and provide sanctions for a failure to fulfill those duties. Ethics involves the duties that an individual owes to himself/herself and to third parties. Ethics have important role in those cases where law is not clear or there is no law such as in the case of international relation. Ethics apply to the culture, education and religion ....
Question : The concept of public and private governance is entering a phase of convergence. How much you agree with this statement?
Answer : Hints: In the contemporary world, private sector is not mere market mechanism propelled by unfettered competition. Truly competitive companies, who care for reputations should have to be unequivocally committed to the interests of stakeholders and society. The absence of governance or deficit in trust results in diminished consumer, investor and public confidence along with less efficient organizations. Private sector needs support of public governance to win trust of people and stakeholders, for harnessing public resources, ....
Question : How important is teaching ethics in educational institutions?
Answer : Hints: Ethics is a science of moral conduct, which guides the human behaviour with respect to the promotion of existence of human beings, non-living things, animals and Ecology & Environment. It is helpful in resolving conflicts, dilemmas, ambiguity and provides reasonable guidance for right conduct. Teaching ethics in educational institutions does not include only schools & colleges but professional courses, training institutes for public servants also.
Teaching ethics is important for the following reasons:
Question : Ethics in science and technology is central to a knowledge driven globalised economy.
Answer : Hints: In present times, Science & Technology pervades all aspects of national life. Today, science and technology has become centre to globalised economy as it fulfills the purpose of being subservient to economic interests.
Question : Do you agree that ‘individuals are the cause and society is the effect’? Support your view point with a suitable case study.
Answer : Hints: ‘Society’ has been a much later formation after humans first appeared on earth, and thus egg and chicken analogy should not be brought out in case of individual and society because-Society = A Collection of Individuals. Hence the values of society strictly depend upon the elements which constitute the society i.e., individuals. For making reforms in society, only the values of individuals could be upgraded.
Question : What are the various provisions through which government brings values and ethics in private institutions?
Answer : Hints: Methodology for bringing ethics in private institutions.
Case Study: A private factory employing 500 people has come up in a remote part ....
Question : What is the significance of ‘freedom from’ to ‘freedom to’? Bring out a case study to illustrate your views.
Answer : Hints: Significance of ‘freedom from’ to ‘freedom to’
Question : What do you mean by ‘Doctrine of Double Effect’? Illustrate it through example.
Answer : Hints: Doctrine of Double Effect: Human actions leave both good and bad effects. It is difficult to decide as to which action is good and which one is bad, however, there are certain principles which decide, whether the action is good or bad, like
Question : What do you mean by ‘Ethical Dilemma’? Illustrate it through a suitable example. You are a police officer and your bodyguard has once saved your life by putting his life on risk. He has taken Rs. 500 from a person to help the man to get a favourable recommendation from you for grant of an arms license. Another police personnel has told you about the matter that your bodyguard has taken the money from someone. The case of arms license is genuine and your bodyguard makes a request to do the same. What will be your response?
Answer : Hints: Ethical dilemmas are situations which entail conflict between two or more equally cherished moral standards. To resolve these ethical Dilemmas Stakeholders will have to produce/ project alternative moral viewpoints which administrators will have to consider before making a decision.
Question : Explain the following terms with suitable examples:
(b) Ethics in human resource management
Answer :
(A) Hints: With the adoption of new technology the need of ethics arises to sustain the proper growth and to minimize the risk of wrong uses. Following are the issues involved in information technology ethics:
(b) Hints: Ethics in HRM indicates the treatment of employees with ordinary decency and distributive justice. The ethical organization ....
Question : Privatization, contracting out, and a commitment to competition are viewed as the tools of entrepreneurial behavior and decision making in the public sector. Are there significant ethical risks associated with employing these tools? Explain with examples.
Answer : Hints: Privatizations, contracting out and competition contributes to a loss of public trust and confidence in public leaders and political representatives. Another issues arises that how can trust and integrity be integrated into privatized functions. The real issue is that the public sector sole purpose is to serve the public and now when they are assuming role guided purely by profit making, it raises serious doubts in the mind of the citizens. Other risks associated ....
Question : Explain the following terms with suitable examples:
(a) Ethics in IPR
(b) Utilitarianism
(c) Rights ethics and duty ethics
(d) Virtue ethics
Answer : (A)Hints: With the arrival of the digital age, it has become much harder to remain in control of one’s intellectual property. Intellectual property has grown from the need to protect one’s new invention, such as soap, to the need to protect a slogan or a color. In other words, intellectual property rights no longer protect solely the interest of preserving a trade secret; it is now the interest to preserve one’s monetary gain.
(b) IPR ....
Question : How understanding of ecological sensitivity is important before EIA (Environment Impact Assessment)?
Answer : Hints: Ecological Sensitivity (area)
Question : It is argued that spiritual awareness is innate and that it is an important component in human development. Justify this statement. How spirituality helps in inculcating ethical values in human beings?
Answer : Hints: Spirituality means something different to everyone. For some, it’s about participating in organized religion: going to church, synagogue, a mosque, and so on. For others, it’s more personal: Some people get in touch with their spiritual side through private prayer, yoga, meditation, quiet reflection, or even long walks.
Question : If you have to choose between Attitude and Aptitude, which one you should choose and why?
Answer : Hints:
Approach
Question : It is well said that adopting any value is for the benefit of the concerned individual. Critically comment.
Answer : Hints: Values arecomponent of behaviour that guides, determines or form them. Individuals lives under different circumstances and follows different professions. So in a course of time they embrace different values. But as we know there are certain values which are found everywhere across the cultural diversity and still there are values specific to a work. Universal values are peace, freedom, humanity etc. and specific value are unique to the requirement and acceptance of different professions. ....
Question : Examine the following statements and state how much you agree? Explain with taking examples from your life. In the following questions, carefully study the cases presented and then answer the questions that follow:
Answer : (a) Ethical value is a by-product of self-knowledge
Question : “The value judgements of a society change from Generation to Generation depending upon the most significant aspects of social objectives.” How much you agree with this statement?
Answer : Hints: Value judgements of a society can change as the features of human criteria depend on Purposiveness, Deliberateness and Rationality. Based on the purposiveness and rationality behind it, values are classified into Principal and Peripheral. Principle values are the values like truth, integrity, fairness etc which are present in every society; however its intensity may vary. The distinguishing feature of the human mind is rationality. After weighing the merit and demerit of the subject of ....
Question : Explain the following terms with suitable examples:
Answer : Hints: (a) Integrity: Holders of public office should not place themselves under any financial or other obligation to outside individuals or organizations that might seek to influence them in the performance of their official duties.
(b) Operant conditioning: Operant conditioning, sometimes referred to as instrumental conditioning is a method of learning that occurs through rewards and punishments for behavior. Through operant conditioning, an association is made between a behavior and a consequence for that behavior. For ....
Question : How “Ego Defensive Mechanism” may be helpful in formation of Attitude?
Answer : Hints: In psychoanalytic theory, defense mechanisms are unconscious psychological strategies brought into play by various entities to cope with reality and to maintain self-image. Healthy persons normally use different defenses throughout life. An ego defense mechanism becomes pathological only when its persistent use leads to maladaptive behavior such that the physical and/or mental health of the individual is adversely affected. The purpose of ego defense mechanisms is to protect the mind/self/ego from anxiety, social sanctions ....
Question : It is well said that “success in persuading people depends on the interplay of various aspects”. Explain all the aspects.
Answer : Hints: Persuasion is a form of social influence in which an audience is intentionally encouraged to adopt an idea, attitude, or course of action by symbolic means. The three elements necessary to persuade an audience are: emotional appeal (pathos), intellectual appeal (logos) and charisma (ethos).
Question : How the strengthening of ethical and moral values in the governance may be ensured?
Answer : Hints: Strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance:
Question : Work culture refers to the attitudes, values and behaviour of individuals.
Answer : Hints: When people join an organization, they bring with them their unique attitudes, values and behaviours that they have been taught. Any organisation with firmly established organisational culture would be taught the values, beliefs and expected behaviours of that organisation. Just as society moulds human behaviour, an organisation also moulds human behaviour that is in tune with the prevalent set of norms and behaviour. In this process, certain basic attitudes and beliefs about the people ....
Question : Define Political attitude
Answer : Hints: It can be defined as relatively stable views, either favorable or unfavorable, which individuals or groups have about events, movements, policies and issues in the public sphere. The hierarchical structure of political attitude consists of four tiers. From the base, these are specific opinions and beliefs, habitual opinions, general attitudes and ideology. Ideology consists of a system of general ideas on man and society, centered around one or a few general values, which has ....
Question : Define Observation learning
Answer : Hints: People form attitudes by observing people around them. People are particularly influenced by the attitudes of those whom they admire. Children observe the attitude of their parents and imitate their ways of doing things.
Question : Examine the following statements and bring out what it means to you in the present context.
Ethical value is a by-product of self-knowledge.
Answer : Hints: Ethical value is the total awareness of the conditioned patterns gathered over million years in the form of knowledge.
Question : Is it correct to say that ‘Freedom of will’ is an important human value? How is it in harmony with Indian value system of ‘Karmavad’?
Answer : Hints: ‘Freedom of will’ is an important human value because it implies both the ability and the freedom of human beings to make right choices according to moral principles. Hence the freedom of will and the moral freedom mean the same thing. It expresses positive faith in human capacity to rise to the highest levels of human growth.
The strong assertion of free will is needed today because a number of theories of human nature deny ....
Question : Define ‘Freedom’ and ‘Discipline’ with respect to human values and ethics. With the help of a suitable case study explain how true ‘freedom’ can be achieved and what role could ‘discipline’ play into it.
Answer : Hints: ‘Freedom’ is regulated or restrained or disciplined by liberty. In other words ‘freedom’ and discipline are two sides of the same coin. In sanskrit there is a word, ‘Swadheenta’. The word freedom is its Common English equivalent. It is a compound of two portions: Swa + adheenta. This means, to be under one’s (swa) own control (adheenta).
Question : Many administrators have contributed in strengthening the ‘basic human values’. Comment and bring out a case study to illustrate your point.
Answer : Hints: Following are the four basic human values.
Many of the administrators like Sri. T.N. Seshan, E. Sreedharan, and very recently Durgashakti Nagpal have demonstrated these human values through their action. While discharging their duties each one of the above was free from personal bias, ego or greed for money or name and fame.
Question : How attitude predicts behaviour. Illustrate through example.
Answer : Hints: There is a complex relationship between attitude and behaviour. Fishbein and Ajzen suggested that behaviour is primarily a function of intention to carryout particular act. These intentions are determined by following three factors.
Example: There is a civil servant who is very honest and wants to maintain his honesty at any cost (very high attitude towards a specific behaviour). He knows that his friends and ....
Question : What are moral attitudes and what is the significance of ‘Reverence’ in deter-mination of moral attitude of an individual.
Answer : Hints: Following are the five components of fundamental moral attitude.
Question : What is the political attitude of ‘Conservatives’ in a political system. A political party having a conservative attitude has to draft an election manifesto on the eve of a general election. It wants to focus on developmental issues and issues relating to poverty and hunger. Draw out a manifesto for the political party in 200 words and discuss its merits.
Answer : Hints: ‘Conservatives’ are the most supportive of the status quo and therefore reluctant to see it changed. Conservatives support the status quo not because they like it, but because they believe that it is the best that can be achieved in the present situation. However, they appreciate ‘incremental’ development in the whole system because of sustainability factor.
Question : What is the difference between ‘empathy’ and ‘compassion’. Illustrate with the help of a suitable example
Answer : Hints: Empathy refers to the ability to imagine oneself in another’s place and understand the other’s feelings, desires, ideas and actions.
Compassion is the understanding or empathy for the suffering of others. Compassion involves a sense of empathy. Someone who is compassionate will have an active desire to alleviate another’s suffering. He will show kindness without expecting anything in return.
Example: A poor old lady approaches a civil servant who has authority to sanction old age pension ....
Question : What is the significance of ‘creativity’ in the basic human value? What constructive role the parents and educational institutions can play in inculcating this human value in a seven year old child?
Answer : Hints: One of the unique endowments of human beings is the internal urge to change things for the better. The field of activity is very wide. It covers every aspect of life. It can be in operation in the following three different fields
A school going Seven year old Child can be persuaded both by parents and teachers to pen down very short stories or songs, which he/she remembers. The child ....
Question : Explain the MODE model of attitude toward objects to specific behaviour.
Question : “The parent is not the only source of values for the child, although obviously the inculcation of values begins in the home from early age”. Examine this statement in the current techno economic society.
Answer : Hints: Although parents are center point in inculcating values in the child, but schools, social institutions, civic organizations, etc too gives shapes to the values of a child. In addition to these, the techno-economic nature of present society is also influencing values by adding dimensions. It has been a century of great achievements in scientific and technological sectors as well as in social, economic and cultural sectors.
Question : What do you mean by “public service values”? Explain with examples.
Answer : Hints: Public Service is a way by which aspiration of the people can be fulfilled. In any Country, Governance and its outcome is an essential component for its peaceful existence.
So for the properly implementation of the governance policy and delivery of services, certain values are important which can be helpful in the public services. These values are:
For example (in the context of India)
Question : Explain the term ‘Total quality management’
Answer : Hints: TQM is a management philosophy that seeks to integrate all organizational functions (marketing, finance, design, engineering, and production, customer service, etc.) to focus on meeting customer needs and organizational objectives. TQM views an organization as a collection of processes. It maintains that organizations must strive to continuously improve these processes by incorporating the knowledge and experiences of workers. The simple objective of TQM is “Do the right things, right the first time, every time.” ....
Question : Write about Tolerance in the current global society
Answer : Hints: Tolerance is the appreciation of diversity and the ability to live and let others live. It is the ability to exercise a fair and objective attitude towards those whose opinions, practices, religion, nationality and so on differ from one’s own. As experts notes, “tolerance is not just agreeing with one another or remaining indifferent in the face of injustice, but rather showing respect for the essential humanity in every person.
Question : “The qualities of good work are not the qualities of good character”. Do you agree?
Answer : Hints: Qualities of a good work ethic are:
Question : Write about Moral attitude vs Political attitude
Answer : Hints: Moral attitude: Reverence, faithfulness, awareness of responsibility, veracity, goodness are some of the moral attitudes.
Question : What do you mean by ‘Empathy’?
Answer : Hints: Empathy is the experience of understanding another person’s condition from their perspective. You place yourself in their shoes and feel what they are feeling. Empathy is known to increase prosocial (helping) ....
Question : Write a brief note on different dimensions of ethics
Answer : Hints:
Question : Explain the following terms with suitable examples:
Answer : Hints: (a) Emotional intelligence: is the ability to identify and manage your own emotions and the emotions of others. It is generally said to include three skills:
Question : Explain the impact of emotional intelligence on bureaucratic structure.
Answer : Hints: Leadership and teamwork improvement: As a bureaucrat, you need to act like a leader in the bureaucratic structure, where decisions depend on your personal efficiency and the analytical skills. But at the centre of successful leadership lies the ability to influence a group toward the achievement of goals. Since emotions are intrinsic to the human condition, they doubtlessly arise whenever a group of people works together. Hence it is essential that leaders know how ....
Question : “Some people will always be bigger than others. Some will be smarter, more creative and so on. Moreover, a human capacity to perceive hierarchical differentiation is probably universal, even though responses to such differentiation may vary”. Examine the relevance of the above statement for the development of Moral Emotions.
Answer : Hints: Human social groups contain both ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots’. The social life of humans can be portrayed as reflecting a dynamic tension between a tendency to dominate and a tendency to submit. As a consequence, a semi stable social equilibrium is reached. Human social life is hierarchical and has always been so. The ‘self-conscious’ emotions, such as guilt, shame and embarrassment and ‘other – focused’ emotions, such as indignation, contempt and disgust, both maintain dynamic ....
Question : Critically examine the role of ethical efficacy in motivating ethical behaviour?
Answer : Hints: Ethical efficacy influences moral motivation and conduct as it instills the confidence needed to engage in ethical behaviour and accordingly, helps individuals control their actions to meet moral standards. When individuals control their actions to meet social standards, self – regulatory abilities are maintained; when they don’t, and instead engage in socially inappropriate behaviour, self-regulatory abilities fail. Thus, ethical efficacy acts as a reinforcement of self-regulatory abilities, controlling behaviour even in the face of ....
Question : What lessons you have learned so far on “preventing and dealing with ethical failures”. Explain your comments with examples.
Answer : Hints: Ethical failures are all around. Despite their pervasiveness we know little how to manage and even survive the aftermath of such failures. To succeed in this scientific enterprise, one should use of a behavioral ethics approach that relies on insights from psychology.
Ethical leadership: Leadership itself may fail sometimes in directing ethics within organizations and business because they suffer from biases that can prevent them from making the right and accurate decisions.
Moral awareness: Remedies for ....
Question : Whether you will support unethical behaviour with the intent to benefit others?
Answer : Hints: Not a day goes by without the revelation of unethical behavior by a politician, movie star, professional athlete, or high-ranking executive. Is a person’s willingness to cross ethical lines influenced by the presence of others who may benefit? Findings show that cheating is motivated by potential benefits to others.
Question : How the sentiments known as moral emotions relate to a sense of ethical obligation?
Answer : Hints: Ethical obligation is related to virtues and vices. These are habits. It is therefore not surprising that it is moral dispositions, sentiments and the will rather than emotional episodes which go to make up vices and virtues. Perhaps the single most important feature of these dispositions and sentiments is that they are the motives out of (or from) which the vicious or virtuous person acts.
Question : Examine the following statements and bring out what it means to you in the present context.
(a) “Conscience has three aspects- knowledge, authority and associated emotions.”
(b) “Freedom and Responsibility are the twin aspects of citizenship in a free society.”
Answer : (a) Hints: Aspects of Conscience-
(b) Hints: Our Constitution has endowed us with very comprehensive fundamental rights, which ensures freedoms in a very broad ....
Question : Define ‘emotional intelligence’. Why it is significant that civil servants should recognise the emotions of others, especially their subordinates?
Answer : Hints: Emotional Intelligence is the ability to interpret, understand and manage one’s own and others emotions. The ability to be self aware and then regulate one’s own emotions is one of the features of emotional intelligence.
Question : What are the 5 point parameters of Emotional Intelligence (Goleman Model) and what is their significance in governance?
Answer : Hints: 5 point parameters of Emotional Intelligence (Goleman Model) is as follows.
Question : Explain how an emotional intelligent Civil servant can be more empathetic than a non-emotional intelligent one.
Answer : Hints: Empathy is the most important factor of emotional intelligence. It is a virtue which enables a Civil Servant to know and address the problem of the poor, deprived and the vulnerable section of the population.
Question : Explain the following terms
Answer : Hints: (i) Crisis Management: During the period of crisis it is very important to understand the emotions of the people who are affected by the crisis. For a civil servant, crisis management is the litmus test of his/her ability. Only that person can effectively manage the crisis that can be empathetic. For managing crisis properly, one requires a professional team and the team leader can succeed only if he/she is emotionally intelligent.
(ii) Self Awareness: This ....
Question : What do you mean by moral intellectualism of Socrates? To what extent are Socratic virtues applicable in modern administrative context?
Answer : Hints: Socrates held that no one knowingly does what is bad. This view is known as moral intellectualism. It means that only knowledge is needed to make all men virtuous.
Question : Briefly discuss Gandhi’s concept of nonviolence. How far Naxalites can succeed if they renounce the path of violence and adopt non-violent means?
Answer : Hints: Gandhi advocated that evil should be tackled by means of non-violence. One should hate the evil deed but not its perpetrator. The argument behind this belief is that men are the children of the same God and that attacking even a single individual is an attack on the whole of the humanity.
Question : Is it correct to say that “Right mindfulness of Buddhism is quite similar to modern concept of ‘emotional intelligence’.?
Answer : Hints: Right mindfulness refers to cognitive processes through which we understand things. Our cognitive processes act on the bare impressions and interpret those using concepts and our earlier experiences. Lord Buddha has recommended four foundations of mindfulness.
Buddhists try to achieve right concentration through practicing meditation. This leads to a mental state without passions, to self control and tranquility.
Modern ....
Question : Explain the term ‘Outcome justice’.
Answer : Hints: The idea of the outcomes ustice is that the fairness of process depends on the procedure producing correct outcomes. For example, if the procedure is a criminal trial, then the correct outcome would be conviction of the guilty and exonerating the innocent. If the procedure were a legislative process, then the procedure would be fair to the extent that it produced good legislation and unfair to the extent that it produced bad legislation.
Question : “Use of power need not necessarily be violent”. Explain with examples.
Answer : Hints: By its very nature, nonviolence cannot ‘seize’ power, nor can that be its goal. But nonviolence can do more; it can effectively control and guide power without capturing the machinery of government. That is its beauty.
Question : “Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely”. Critically examine the statement.
Answer : Hints: “Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Over the centuries, this famous saying voiced by Lord Action has been analyzed and dissected numerous times by historians and philosophers. Some individuals say that power does not corrupt, it only attracts the corruptible. However, to judge fairly, past and current events accurately depict the ideology that power corrupts absolutely, and that its meaning holds true.
Leadership is at its core, all about power and influence; however, there ....
Question : Examine the following statement and bring out what it means to you in the present context. “The use of power need not necessarily be violent.”
Answer : Hints: The most effective exercise of power is that which troubles least. A non – violent administrator or law – giver professes his duties without getting affected by fear or favour, anger or attachment.
Question : Civility and humility are expressions of the spirit of non-violence.
Answer : Hints: Civility calls for taking care of oneself and his/her surroundings by being within the ambit of constitution/law of the land.
Question : ‘Medieval Ethics was deeply influenced by the Church’. Comment and bring out the views of Thomas Aquinas.
Answer : Hints: Prior to spread of Christianity, Medieval Ethics was being regulated by Greek ethics which laid emphasis on ‘good man’ and ‘good citizen’. This means that more attention on inner aspect of morality, which was the aspiration of every good human being.
Question : According to John Stuart Mill “The greatest happiness principle should be foundation of morals”. Comment (100 words). With a suitable case study (not more than 100 words), illustrate that this principle is still relevant.
Answer : Hints: Bentham saw the ethical issues from a more individualistic point of view. His argument was that since society is made up of individuals, it will be sufficient to view the whole subject from the perspective of individual utility-seeking as the basis of ethics. John Stuart Mill went on to add further refinement to Bentham’s approach. He stressed.
Question : What were the views of Kautilya regarding ‘Integrity of Public Servants’? Do you think that the views are still relevant?
Answer : Hints: Kautilya recommended that Public servants who have power and authority should be under constant watch and scrutiny. He even recommended the use of spies against them. Kautilya had suggested the King that as a fish living in water cannot be believed that it has not touched and tasted the water, similarly civil servants having power and authority should not be taken for granted that they may not misuse it.
Question : ‘An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind’. Examine ethicality of this statement in the current global context.
Answer : Hints:This is Gandhiji quote. It basically means that when something awful is done by someone, they deserve to have the same thing done to them. Like…if someone has caused a dent on your car then you also do the same thing and it will be fair. But Gandhiji did not believe in it and quoted that “an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind” meaning if we keep punishing those we deem cruel, ....
Question : “Absolute power corrupts absolutely and lack of absolute power corrupts absolutely as well.” With suitable examples, critically comment on the statement.
Answer : Hints:The phrase “power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely” was first coined by the British historian Lord Acton.
Question : Explain the term ‘Benchmarking’ with example.
Answer : It is a measurement of the quality of an organizations policies, products, programs, strategies, etc. and their comparison with standards requirements, or similar measurement of its peers. The objective of benchmarking are
(i)To determine what and where improvements are called for
(ii)To analyze how other organizations achieve their high performance levels, and
(iii)To use this information to improve performance.
Question : The aspiration of civil servants while performing public service is constrained by the code of conduct. Do you agree?
Answer : Hints: Code of conduct is a set of rules outlining the social norms and rules and responsibilities or proper practices for an individual or organization. A common code of conduct is written for a public servant to protect the interest of the citizens. The standards commonly mentioned in professional codes include: honesty, integrity, transparency, accountability, confidentiality, objectivity, respectfulness and obedience to the law.
Question : What are ethical issues involved in the process of benchmarking? Explain with suitable examples.
Answer : Hints: Benchmarking is the process of identifying and learning from best practices anywhere in the world. It is a powerful tool in the quest for continuous improvement and breakthroughs. Following are the ethical issues involved in the process of Benchmarking.
Question : “Open government is the governing doctrine which holds that citizens have the right to access the documents and proceedings of the government to allow for effective public oversight”
Answer : Hints: The contemporary doctrine of open government finds its strongest advocates in those non-governmental organisations keen to counter what they see as the inherent tendency of government to lapse, whenever possible, into secrecy. Prominent among these NGOs are bodies like Transparency International or the Open Society Institute. They advocate the implementation of norms of openness and transparency across the globe and argue that such standards are vital to the ongoing prosperity and development of democratic ....
Question : Explain the following terms with suitable examples.
(b) Public Procurement
(c) Work Culture
Answer : (a) It is willful diversion of resources (either money or any other resources) by a person from the intended purpose to other purposes or for his/her own benefit. ARC report called for inclusion of ‘willful violation of oath of office’ ,‘abuse of authority unduly favouring or harming someone’, ‘squandering of public money’ and ‘obstruction of justice’ under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. Example of corruption may include from using official stationary for own purpose ....
Question : How can the Whistle-Blowing domain be expanded in India? Explain with suitable examples.
Answer : Hints: Whistle blowers’ Act seeks to promote combating corruption by keeping the names of initiators or whistle blowers of corruption as secret. This will motivate others to come out and provide information about incidents of corruption happening around them.
Expansion of Whistle – blowing in India:
Question : “Open government is the governing doctrine which holds that citizens have the right to access the documents and proceedings of the government to allow for effective public oversight”. How much you agree with this statement?
Answer : Hints: Open government ensures a transparent, accountable, information sharing and feedback seeking governance process, which shares everything with the citizens, considering them as its family members. In its broadest construction it opposes reason of state and other considerations, which have tended to legitimize extensive state secrecy.
Question : Explain the following terms with suitable examples:
(b) Collusive corruption
(c) Social Audit
Answer : Hints: It deals with the rules to be followed in financial transactions:
Question : “The solution to the problem of corruption has to be more systemic than any other issue of governance.” How much you agree with this statement?
Answer : Hints: The standard for probity in public life should be not only conviction in a criminal court but propriety as determined by suitable independent institutions specifically constituted for the purpose. We have broadly copied the British model of governance. Ministers in British government have had to resign on such minor improprieties. Such principles were upheld and pronounced by Jawaharlal Nehru in the Mudgal case in which the said Lok Sabha Member was expelled by Parliament ....
Question : Critically examine the role of administrative machinery, presently existing in India for the prevention of corruption at the central and state levels.
Answer : Hint: Anti-corruption measures fall into two categories:
i. Prosecutorial and
ii. Administrative Sanctions.
Question : What are the provisions in Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, which prohibit civil servants from taking part in politics and elections? Give your opinion.
Answer : Hints: Rule 5 of the CCS (conduct) Rules 1964 prohibits Government Servant not to associate himself/herself with any political party or any organisation which takes part in politics. The conduct rule also prescribes that every government servant should endeavour to prevent any member of his family from taking part in politics. Canvassing or otherwise interference and influencing election system has also been prohibited.
Question : Services of a civil servant were terminated because of a report made by the police authorities that he was not a fit person to be retained in the government service, as he had taken part in ‘RSS and Jansangh activities’. Give your views in view of the provisions under CCS (Conduct) Rules. What are the important judicial verdicts in this case?
Answer : Hints: The government servants are free to take part in social, cultural and philanthropic activities but they have expressly been forbidden not to participate in activities of an organisation which could be regarded as political in character.
Question : What are the different provisions and restrictions regarding acceptance ‘Gifts’ by civil servants under CCS (Conduct) Rules. Should a civil servant accept gifts at the time of his retirement if it exceeds the permissible limits?
Answer : Hints: No government servant can accept or permit any member of his family to accept any gift. Gift is permissible on occasions like weddings, anniversaries, funerals or religious functions when the making of gift is in conformity with the prevailing religious and social practice, a government servant accept gifts from his near relatives or from his personal friends having no official dealings with him, but shall take a report to the government if the value ....
Question : What are the various penalties prescribed under CCS (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1965, for bringing accountability in Civil Services? Do you think there is sufficient ground for amendment?
Answer : Hints: The Penalties have been described in section 11 of the CCS (Classification, Control, and Appeal) Rules 1965, and have been put into two categories, Minor and Major.
1.Minor Penalties: Censure, withholding promotion, recovery, reduction to a lower stage in a time scale, with holding of increment etc.
2.Major Penalties: Reduction in rank, Compulsory retirement, removal from service, and dismissal.
Question : What are the different provisions by which public authorities could share information’s to people under RTI Act, 2005. Is it correct to say that the Act is weak on this issue?
Answer : Hints: In order to minimize the number of requests for information, the Act indicates the general type of information’s which are proactively to be published by the public authority. The proactive disclosure requirement under Section 4(1)(b) of the Act came into force with the enactment of the Act on June 15, 2005. In any case a public authority has to comply with all the provisions of the Act within 120 days from its enactment.
Question : Whether copy of opinions, advices, circulars, orders, could be given to the applicant? If the applicant wants a ‘sample’ of any material, whether it can be provided?
Answer : Hints: ‘Information’ has been defined in Section 2(f) of the RTI Act, 2005. It includes opinions, advices, circulars, orders, etc. Hence PIO is duty bound to provide these to the applicants and failure to provide these within the stipulated period will invite penalty. Under RTI Act 2005, Section 2(j) Right to Information has been well defined which means the right to information accessible under this Act which is held by or under the control of ....
Question : Is the public authority legally or morally bound to develop and organize educational programmes to advance the understanding of the disadvantaged community? Had you been a PIO, what steps would you take in this direction? Answer quoting various provisions of the RTI Act 2005.
Answer : Hints: Under Section 26(1) of the RTI Act 2005, it is expected that appropriate government (Both Central and State) may develop and organise educational programmes to advance the understanding of public, in particular disadvantaged community about the various rights contemplated under the Act. It will also encourage public authority to participate in the development and organisation of such programmes and undertake such programmes themselves. Thus it is both legal and moral responsibility of Public authorities ....
Question : What do you understand by ‘Coercive’ and ‘Collusive’ corruption in Public Services. Do you think that section 19 of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 provides undue protection to corrupt public servants?
Answer : Hints: In coercive corruption the bribe giver is a victim of extortion. He is compelled to pay for a simple service, because if he does not pay the bribe money, he ends up losing much more than the bribe money. This apart he faces delays, harassment, uncertainity, loss of work, wages etc.
Question : What do you mean by ‘professional ethics’? Make out a code of conduct of Nurses working in a hospital where children below the age of 2 years are receiving treatment.
Answer : Hints: Main pillar of professional ethics is the striving for excellence. True professionals feel exhilarated when they find the optimal solution to a tricky problem. They are fired more by the impulse to excel, to perform maximally, than to seek maximum personal gain out of a professional transaction. Nursing is not only a profession, it is also a vocation. Those who join nursing, also remember-
1.The Obligation to give primacy to the public interest which is ....
Question : In the enthusiasm for cutting red tape, it is useful to remember the reasons some of that red tape got there in the first place. Explain with examples.
Answer : Hints: For the past few decades, India’s economy has not grown as fast as it could, or as fast as China’s. Much of this is because of the economic policies of the government and the fact that India shied away from a manufacturing-based economy for a long time, instead focusing on a white-collar services sector. That type of problem is caused by the Red Tapism.Because it raised the unnecessary rules and regulation that affected the ....
Question : “Quality begins with me” examine this statement in the context of probity in governance.
Answer : Hints: Probity in governance is an essential and vital requirement for an efficient and effective system of governance and for socio-economic development. Following are the requisites of probity in governance.
Absence of corruption
Question : “Emotions are always reactive in nature.” How much you agree with this statement?
Answer : Hints: Living life to its fullest requires experiencing and enjoying the full range of human emotions. Emotions are strong feelings or a mental state that arises spontaneously rather than through conscious efforts. There are many events and situations in life that provoke emotional reactivity, some of which feels great and others not so much. For example your friend says that you are smart and you have a strong feeling as a result. Your boss gives ....
Question : Critically examine the relevance of Emotional Intelligence in good governance.
Answer : Hints: Emotional intelligence is the ability to perceive emotions, to assess and generate emotions so as to assist thought, to understand emotions and emotional knowledge, and to reflectively regulate emotions so as to promote emotional and intellectual growth. In simple words, emotional intelligence refers to attributes such as understanding one’s feelings, empathy for others, and the regulation of emotions to enhance one’s life.
Question : “A state cannot provide everything to citizens, there must be certain other mechanism also which help state in public service delivery.” How much you agree with the statement?
Answer : Hints: It is the prime responsibility of the state to ensure service delivery to the public. Other mechanisms which help state in public service delivery are: NGO’s, vibrant civil society, corporate engagements wherever possible etc. yes innovation in public delivery system is required. ....
Question : For the sucessful and ethical completion of any project, there must be fine tuning between fund adequacy, policy framework and institutional capacity to deliver. Do you agree? Explain with examples.
Answer : Hints: For completion of any project ethics plays important role for gaining the support of the project team. Ethics are defined as moral values, beliefs, and rule that one upholds in their life on the job and personally to ensure right or wrong. There are a number of differentcomponents of managing a project. While conducting project management, profit and staff motivation are often paramount. However, a project manager must also remember his obligation to be ....
Question : What is the role of state or institutions of state in strengthening the corporate governance in India.
Answer : Hints: High profile corporate scandals such as Satyam, Sarradha Chit Fund, Speak Asia Scam, have brought into public consciousness the mundane subject of corporate governance reforms in the hope that implementing the good governance in the organizations would not only prevent the recurrence of such problems but also lead to good organizational performance.
Question : What are ethical issues involved in international relation? Explain by giving suitable examples.
Answer : Hints: It is said that international relations are ruled by force, fraud and secret intrigue and whatever moral considerations come into conflict with national ambitions and nationalistic ideas they are ignored. Ethics in international relations deals with the relationship between ethics, politics, and power? International ethics is a rapidly expanding field within the discipline of International relations; this growth has been driven partly by developments in related fields of moral and political philosophy, as well ....
Question : “At the time of entry into the government services, the motivation and enthusiasm of new entrants are generally high, however after few years of their service, these attributes recede in intensity”. Explain all the factors on which this statement is based?
Answer : Hints: This question can be solved by addressing the following points that a servant comes across during his tenure.
Answer : Hints: Following are some of the ethical issues involved in the public services delivery in India
Question : Do you think that accountability and ethics are closely related? Explain it with suitable examples.
Answer : Hints: Accountability implies answer ability of action of those in power. It further implies that important decisions should be explained to the people to allow them an opportunity to appraise how well those in power have handled their responsibilities.
Question : Examine the statement and bring out what it means to you in the present context. “Political neutrality is a cardinal virtue in the Indian Civil Service tradition.”
Answer : Hint: Civil servants are expected to loyally serve the government of the day, irrespective of their personal beliefs and policy preferences. Civil servants cannot avoid politics as they have to perform the three important roles – marketing of policies framed by ministers, handling public and private interest groups and help in resolving conflicts over policy. The bureaucrat must know the mind of the minister and function in a manner that he/she continues to enjoy the ....
Question : What according to you are the obstacles in ensuring “Ethical Accountability” in India?
Answer : Hints: Some of the obstacles in ensuring ethical accountability are:
Question : “As a business, the media is under constant pressure to sell and to offer what sells, rather than what as the fourth estate ought to offer.” How much do you agree with this statement?
Answer : Hints: Media has a dual character, in two senses. It is a medium as well as a creator of news, attitudes and agenda. It conveys as well as directs. The news it reports alerts policymakers, interest groups, and political parties to emerging issues, and to threats and opportunities. Media is a very useful vehicle for policy and political entrepreneurship, for advancing ones interests and causes. An event or development that is reported is an opportunity ....
Question : Explain the term ‘Public Service’ with suitable examples:
Answer : Public Service: Any kind of services provided by the government during the process of governance is public service. It is provided by government to people living within its jurisdiction, either directly (such as, police services, army, Right to work, PDS shops etc.)or by financing provision of services (such as, providing subsidies for diesel, LPG, conditional cash transfers etc.). This is associated with the presumption that certain services should be available to all citizens, regardless of ....
Question : The true value of corporate governance is much more than just ensuring compliance with regulations. Critically comment.
Answer : Hints: Although Indian corporates have been focused on revisiting and updating board-level policies and procedures by implementing them, but the focus of most of the organisations have been on achieving legal compliance, for instance, introducing the appropriate mix of executive and non-executive directors on their boards. But beyond this, not much has been done substantively. Most listed companies continue to view corporate governance as a compliance-driven exercise — an effort to ensure that they implement ....
Question : Critically analyse the problems of policy making in India. Also propose solutions.
Answer : Hints: Problems of policy making in India:
Excessive Fragmentation: One of the main problems with policy-making in India is extreme fragmentation in the structure. For example, the transport sector is dealt with by five departments/Ministries in the government of India whereas in the US and UK it is a part of one department (Department of Transport and Public Works in the US and Department of Environment, Transport and Regions in the UK). Similar examples exist in ....
Question : What are ethical issues in “Intellectual Property Rights”? What measures you will suggest to redress these ethical issues?
Answer : Hints: A large body of contemporary academic literature suggests that IPRs as implemented in the TRIPS agreement and various US FTAs give rise to a number of ethical problems.
Question : Ethics in finance helps in promoting fund raising capability of companies. How much you agree with this statement?
Answer : Hints: Ethics in finance is mainly related with insider trading, financial services (undue benefits/frauds by intermediaries) and Financial market (Undue gains by Promoters of the company). Even within the law, various manipulations can be carried out by accountants which are regarded as ethical grey areas, like “looking the books”, “creative accounting”, “make up of accounts”, “window dressing of accounts”, etc.
