Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
Transparency International’s Integrity Index consistently portrays India with a low ranking, reflecting a perceived lack of integrity within its public and private sectors. Public morality, defined as the ethical principles governing the conduct of individuals and institutions in the public sphere, has demonstrably declined in India. This decline isn’t attributable to a single cause but is a complex interplay of legal loopholes, political malfeasance, economic incentives for corruption, shifting social norms, and deeply ingrained cultural practices. Understanding these interconnected factors is crucial to addressing the systemic issues that contribute to this erosion of ethical standards.
Legal Factors
India’s legal framework, while possessing anti-corruption laws, suffers from implementation gaps and delays. The Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, remains the primary legislation, but its effectiveness is hampered by slow judicial processes.
- Weak Enforcement: A significant backlog of cases related to corruption, coupled with low conviction rates, fosters impunity.
- Loopholes in Laws: Laws related to political funding, like those governing donations to political parties, lack transparency, creating avenues for illicit financial flows.
- Lack of Whistleblower Protection: Despite the Whistleblowers Protection Act, 2014, effective protection and encouragement for whistleblowers remain limited.
Political Factors
The political landscape in India is often characterized by a culture of patronage, nepotism, and criminalization. This significantly contributes to the decline in public morality.
- Criminalization of Politics: According to the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), a substantial percentage of Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of Legislative Assemblies (MLAs) have criminal records. (ADR Reports, Knowledge Cutoff 2023)
- Political Corruption: Instances of political corruption, such as scams involving allocation of natural resources (e.g., 2G spectrum scam, Coal allocation scam), erode public trust.
- Lack of Internal Democracy: Limited transparency and accountability within political parties contribute to a lack of ethical leadership.
Economic Factors
Economic liberalization and rapid growth have created opportunities for corruption and rent-seeking behavior.
- Rent-Seeking: The pursuit of economic gain through manipulation of the political environment rather than productive activity is rampant.
- Lack of Transparency in Public Procurement: Corruption in public procurement processes leads to inflated costs and substandard quality of goods and services.
- Illicit Financial Flows: Large-scale illicit financial flows, including money laundering and tax evasion, undermine the integrity of the financial system.
Social Factors
Changing social norms and a decline in ethical values contribute to the acceptance of corrupt practices.
- Erosion of Traditional Values: A decline in traditional values emphasizing honesty, integrity, and public service has contributed to a weakening of ethical standards.
- Social Acceptance of Corruption: In some segments of society, corruption is viewed as a necessary evil or a means to navigate bureaucratic hurdles.
- Lack of Civic Engagement: Limited civic engagement and a lack of public pressure on authorities contribute to a culture of impunity.
Cultural Factors
Certain cultural practices and attitudes can inadvertently facilitate corruption.
- Patron-Client Relationships: Strong patron-client relationships, where individuals rely on powerful patrons for favors, can create opportunities for corruption.
- Emphasis on Status and Material Wealth: A societal emphasis on status and material wealth can incentivize individuals to engage in corrupt practices to achieve upward mobility.
- Collectivist Culture: While collectivism has benefits, it can sometimes lead to prioritizing group interests over ethical considerations.
| Factor | Manifestation | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Legal | Slow judicial processes, loopholes in laws | Impunity, lack of deterrence |
| Political | Criminalization of politics, political corruption | Erosion of public trust, compromised governance |
| Economic | Rent-seeking, illicit financial flows | Distorted markets, unequal distribution of wealth |
| Social | Erosion of values, social acceptance of corruption | Normalization of unethical behavior |
| Cultural | Patron-client relationships, emphasis on wealth | Incentivizes corrupt practices |
Conclusion
The decline of public morality in India is a deeply entrenched problem stemming from a complex interplay of legal, political, economic, social, and cultural factors. Addressing this requires a holistic approach encompassing legal reforms to expedite justice, strengthening institutions to ensure accountability, promoting ethical leadership in politics, fostering a culture of transparency and integrity, and reinforcing traditional values of honesty and public service. A sustained and multi-pronged effort is essential to improve India’s ranking in the Integrity Index and restore public trust in governance.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.