18 June 2024 : Daily Answer Writing

Q1) Good governance is based on the rule of law which itself is situated on a strong ethical foundation. In this light, discuss the importance of ethics for good governance.

(150 Words/10 Marks)

 

ANS

Good governance implies efficient and effective governance system which protects the citizen interests and maintains trust in the social contract that exists between the government and the governed. Rule of law implies that the state is governed by law and not by the powerful. It means law is powerful and not law of powerful.

Ethics is important for good governance and upholding the rule of law because:

1. Objectivity is necessary of rule of law so that those applying law act in an impartial and nonpartisan way. Ethics brings in an element of compassion while implementing laws to ensure not only justice (procedural) but also fairness (distributive).

2. Rule of law is based on legislation, rules and regulations. But, by nature law can never be comprehensive as all future events/scenarios cannot be anticipated. Laws often require interpretation in light of changing social values. In such cases, conscience and ethics become important for decision making and choosing correct course of action.

3. While efficiency in utilization of public funds is a basic tenet of good governance, ethics in governance brings in the element of effectiveness where qualitative outcomes become as important as quantitative criteria.

4. Ethics in administration ensure integrity and probity in public servants so that they act with honesty even when no one is looking or when law is silent on certain issues. Ethics make public servant dedicated to the welfare of public and selfless when they hold substantial power.

5. Ethical conduct on part of office bearers is of paramount importance as the sovereign (people of India) has given the legitimate authority to govern to the government because they trust the ability and intentions of the government to work for the people. Ethics turns public servants into leaders who are held in high regards by people, which is very important for bringing positive attitude change or resolving a conflict situation.

6. Ethics is important for turning periodic accountability (trough elections) into continuous accountability for good governance. Ethics ensures that the government listens to the public, empowers regulatory institutions, takes proactive transparency and accountability measures (RTI, e-governance) etc.

7. Public servants work in a ‘fish-bowl environment’ where their personal and professional life is under continuous scrutiny, ethics ensures that they act in an open, responsible and accountable manner.

Good governance is synonymous with ethical governance and rule of law forms their foundation. Thus, ethics in governance is important for not just efficiency and effectiveness, but also for high standards of morality like integrity, probity, compassion, impartiality and justice