30 August 2024 : Daily Answer Writing

Q1) It is often said that politics and ethics belong to different worlds. What is your opinion in this regard? Justify your answer with illustration. Also, highlight the consequences of divergence between politics and ethics.

(150 Words/10 Marks)

ANS

Ethics are a set of principles that help one decide between the right and wrong. Politics is defined as the activities associated with political activities like framing/influencing policies, participating in elections, distribution of resources etc. It is often said, by many experts, that politics and ethics belong to different worlds because:

1. While in politics, as per Machiavelli, the ends justify the means, ethics call for purity of means.

E.g., Mahatma Gandhi revoking non-cooperation movement after the Chauri Chaura incident.

2. While politics have, as per critics, become an institution for self-service, ethics teaches to put service before self. E.g., Vinoba Bhave working for downtrodden.
3. While politics is criticised for promoting negative values like communalism, ethics present an alternate set of values like harmony, inclusiveness etc.
4. The criminalisation of politics has built a negative perception among people, while ethics exudes a positive perception in people. E.g., teachings of Buddha, Mahaveer etc.

Even though ethics and politics are perceived as belonging to different worlds, this perception is not entirely correct as:

1. Leaders all across the globe have utilized politics as a platform for public service. E.g., Nelson Mandela leveraging politics for upliftment of people.
2. Politics is instrumental in creating a welfare state based on ethical principles. E.g., a government implementing welfare schemes on secular principles.
3. Politics has played important role in reversing the tyranny of a few. E.g., India’s freedom struggle; American revolution; French revolution etc.
4. Politics has been used by leaders for expansion of rights and liberties. E.g., Anti-apartheid protests in South Africa; civil rights movement of America etc.
5. Politics is one of the most important cogs in the wheel of national progress. E.g., role of leaders like J L Nehru, L B Shastri, A B Vajpayee etc., in India’s growth.

The divergence between ethics/principles and politics is a Gandhian sin, and can have disastrous consequences, such as:

1. Overlooking ethical principles in politics compromise the constitutional values like secularism, equality etc.
2. Neglect of ethical principles violates the Gandhi’s talisman. E.g., siphoning of funds from welfare schemes affect the most vulnerable.
3. Lack of ethics in politics lead to results in the dilution of values like integrity, accountability, transparency etc.
4. Political corruption is a direct threat to the internal security of the country. E.g., corruption in defense deals can compromise national security.
5. Prevalence of money and muscle power, a result of divergence of ethics and politics, has resulted in criminalization of politics. E.g., political parties fielding strongman candidates (Bahubalis)

Politics should be done for the noble cause of uplifting the people, the same can be achieved by integrating ethical principles with political practices.