Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
Ethics in public service demands a nuanced understanding of moral principles and their application to real-world dilemmas. Public servants like Prabhat often encounter situations where competing values clash, requiring careful consideration of consequences, duties, and rights. The core of ethical governance lies in upholding integrity, transparency, and accountability. A robust ethical framework is crucial for building public trust and ensuring effective administration. This answer will explore how Prabhat can navigate ethical challenges, assuming a scenario where he must choose between multiple courses of action, prioritizing a balanced approach that considers both the outcomes and the principles involved.
Understanding Ethical Frameworks
Several ethical frameworks can guide Prabhat’s decision-making. These include:
- Utilitarianism: Focuses on maximizing overall happiness and minimizing suffering. The best action is the one that produces the greatest good for the greatest number.
- Deontology: Emphasizes moral duties and rules, regardless of consequences. Certain actions are inherently right or wrong, and should be followed irrespective of the outcome.
- Virtue Ethics: Centers on developing good character traits, such as honesty, compassion, and courage. A virtuous person will naturally act ethically.
- Rights-Based Ethics: Prioritizes the protection of individual rights and freedoms.
Applying Ethical Frameworks to a Hypothetical Scenario
Let's assume Prabhat is a District Magistrate facing a situation where he must choose between allocating funds for a politically sensitive project favored by a local MLA (which could enhance his career prospects) or prioritizing a critical public health initiative with long-term benefits but limited immediate visibility.
Analyzing the Options
Option 1: Politically Sensitive Project:
- Utilitarian Perspective: May provide short-term benefits to a specific constituency, potentially increasing the MLA’s popularity and Prabhat’s career advancement. However, it might divert resources from more pressing needs.
- Deontological Perspective: Could be seen as a violation of the principle of impartiality and fairness if the project is not genuinely in the public interest.
- Virtue Ethics: Would demonstrate a lack of integrity and courage if the decision is driven by personal gain rather than public welfare.
Option 2: Public Health Initiative:
- Utilitarian Perspective: Offers long-term benefits to a wider population, improving public health and well-being.
- Deontological Perspective: Aligns with the duty to serve the public interest and protect citizens’ health.
- Virtue Ethics: Demonstrates integrity, compassion, and a commitment to social responsibility.
The Most Appropriate Course of Action for Prabhat
In this scenario, prioritizing the public health initiative would be the most appropriate course of action for Prabhat. While the politically sensitive project might offer short-term gains, the public health initiative aligns more closely with the core values of ethical governance. A utilitarian calculation, considering long-term benefits, would favor the health initiative. Furthermore, a deontological approach emphasizes the duty to prioritize public welfare.
Justification and Mitigation Strategies
Prabhat should be prepared to justify his decision based on objective criteria and demonstrate transparency in the allocation of funds. He can mitigate potential political backlash by clearly communicating the rationale behind his decision, emphasizing the long-term benefits of the public health initiative and its impact on the community. He could also engage with the MLA to explain the situation and explore alternative ways to address the constituency’s needs.
The Nolan Committee Report (1994), which established the principles of public life in the UK (selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, and openness), provides a useful framework for Prabhat’s decision-making. These principles are highly relevant to the Indian context as well.
Conclusion
Ultimately, Prabhat’s ethical responsibility lies in serving the public interest with integrity and impartiality. While navigating political pressures is inevitable, prioritizing long-term public welfare over short-term personal or political gains is crucial for building a trustworthy and effective administration. A commitment to ethical principles, coupled with transparent communication and a willingness to justify decisions based on objective criteria, will strengthen public trust and contribute to good governance. The scenario highlights the importance of ethical training and awareness for public servants.
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.