Everything You Need To Know About What Is Probity
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What is Probity ?

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Probity (called ‘Satya Nishtha’ in Hindi) is the quality of having strong moral principles, i.e. incorruptibility. Probity, which descends from the Latin word probus, meaning “honest,” implies tried and proven integrity. Integrity implies trustworthiness and incorruptibility. 

  • Probity represents the maximalist approach to life in which a person adheres to the highest ethical principles and ideals rather than simply avoiding corrupt or dishonest personal and public relations practices. 

Examples of Probity are never cheating in exams despite risk of failing, never lying despite it often being disadvantageous etc.

  • It is more than merely having financial honesty. It includes an uncompromising attitude towards one’s moral principles. Probity includes uprightness, integrity, and strictly following the code of ethics and propriety in dealings.

For example, A Civil servant who has high Probity will never take bribes, always keep the public interest first even when faced with adverse consequences/threats, and tackle matters with the same diligence whether they are related to a common citizen or a mighty politician.

What is Probity in Governance?

Probity in governance refers to the existence of strong ethical and moral norms in the governance processes

Probity and Good Governance

Good governance and Probity are interlinked and interdependent

The concept of good governance is extended to the idea of ethical governance, which forms the basis of Probity. Ethical governance is one step ahead of good governance; it seeks to realise a number of ethical values, such as responsibility, integrity, compassion, probity, justice, the rule of law, and so on. This form the basis of Probity in governance.

These principles are essential for an efficient and effective system of administration and socio-economic development, effectively meeting the needs of target groups. Thus, where there is probity and ethical governance, the governance is efficient and ‘good’.

Concept of Good Governance
In 1989, for the first time, the World Bank used the term ‘good governance’, which aimed at action-oriented programmes to curb corruption in countries across the world. For instance, the importance of good governance can be gauged from the fact that the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, before granting their aid, put preconditions for the recipient countries to undertake good governance practices.

Good governance aims at providing public services which effectively, efficiently, and equitably meet the needs of the citizens. 

  • Efficiency can be determined by cost-benefit analysis, which measures output realised with respect to the resources utilised. On the other hand, 
  • Effectiveness measures outcome and not just output. For instance, the output of MGNREGA can be measured in terms of total man-days generated or wages dispersed. Whereas poverty reduction, gender empowerment, and empowerment of SCs/STs by means of livelihood opportunities are all outcomes of it.
  • Equality: Good governance aims to build an overall environment in which all citizens, irrespective of caste, class, gender, and other such distinctions, have the ability and opportunities to develop their full potential. For example, Under Mission Reconnect, the Kerala government successfully restored power in approximately 2.5 million homes in a short span of two weeks.

The concept of Good Governance has been prevalent in India since ancient times. The highest duty of the king was Raj-dharma, and the King was bound by ‘Raj-dharma’. For instance, Ramayan speaks of ‘the Ramrajya’.

Essential Pre-requisits for Probity

Probity not only includes upholding ethical principles, but also maintaining procedural uprightness. 

  • An essential requisite for ensuring Probity in governance is the complete absence of corruption
  • Upholding Ethical Principles: For example, Former Supreme Court Judge Kurian Joseph was a member of the bench trying two Italian marines for allegedly shooting two fishermen off the Kerala coast in 2012. He showed high Integrity and Probity when, during his visit to the Vatican, he skipped the dinner that comprised senior officials of the Italian government to avoid a perceived conflict of interest.
  • Procedural Uprightness: It requires adherance to laws, rules, and regulations governing various aspects of public life and, more importantly, effective and fair implementation of those laws.

In India, it was first emphasized by the Santhanam Committee. The committee recommended enhancing Probity in public life. Due to this, the Central Civil Services Conduct Rules were amended and enlarged in 1964, and CBI was empowered.

In the recent times, the Nolan Committee has been popularised worldwide for its recommendations on Standards in Public Life. We can idealise its principles to establish probity in Public Life.

Nolan Committee or Committee on Standards in Public Life
The Nolan Committee was established in the U.K. to improve standards of behaviour in public life. It submitted its first report in 1995, in which it gave seven principles for promoting Probity in Public life, i.e. Selflessness, Integrity, Objectivity, Accountability, Openness, Honesty and Leadership. Following are some foundational principles that form the basis of Probity in Governance.

Philosophical Basis of Governance and Probity

Since ancient times, a number of great philosophers and leaders provided their views on how probity in governance can be achieved to ensure good governance.

Probity in Indian Philosophy

The idea of ethical governance is emphasized in several Indian scriptures and treatizes such as Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagavad Gita, Buddha Charita, Arthashastra, Panchatantra, Manusmriti, Kural, Shukra Niti, Kadambari, Raja Tarangani and Hitopadesh.

  • Bhagwat Geeta emphasizes the values of Non-inclined action (action done without desire for fruit) and Karma (performance of one’s duty without favour and fervour).
  • According to Kautilya, the king (whom he called Rajrishi) is the servant of the state. He should harbour no personal likes. In the happiness of the subject lies the king’s happiness. The king should surrender his individuality and personal happiness in the interest of his duties towards his subjects. Kautilya’s king acts in concert with the seven organs of the state and values their advice.
Views of Kautilya over Good Governance and Probity in Governance
Famous ancient Indian philosopher Kautilya or Chanakya, in his treatise ‘Arthashastra’, gave detailed views on the issue of maintaining probity in governance:

An ‘ideal leader’ or the Rajarishi (the sage-like king), who has conquered the six internal enemies, gained control over the senses, cultivated his intellect, kept a watchful eye by use of spies, ensured security and well-being of subjects by energetic activity, maintained the observance of his subjects’ duties by carrying out his own duties and has discipline.

Kautilya mentions 21 things that a king should not do to ensure good governance in his kingdom, which leads to the happiness of the people (praja-sukhe). 

  • This envisages an amalgamation of raja dharma (duties of a leader), Praja-dharma (duties of the citizens), and swa-dharma (duties towards one’s self), so the concept of Rajarshi is relevant in modern times as well to ensure probity in governance. 
  • Not only the ruler but also the people have to live within constraints. Otherwise, there will be no civil society. Rulers and officials must be subjected to a vigorously disciplined life and an elaborate code of conduct.
  • There should not be too much personal interaction in professional life; otherwise, it may lead to corruption and hierarchy. He recommended having a network of spies to look after whether the officials carried out their work ethically.
  • There is also mention of whistleblowers in the Arthashastra, who were given awards and incentives to curb corruption.

Probity in Western Philosophy

  • In his work “The Republic,” Plato gave the idea of philosopher kings. Plato’s philosopher king, unlike Kautilya’s Rajrishi, had absolute power. However, he argued that rulers should have a deep understanding of what is good for society. He emphasized the role of wisdom and moral virtue in governance. 
  • Aristotle differentiated between good and bad forms of government. As per Aristotle, the main purpose of the state is to cultivate virtues in its citizens.
  • In “The Prince,” Machiavelli adopted a practical approach to government, emphasizing the efficient use of authority. His strategy, which is sometimes interpreted as supporting a kind of moral relativism in politics, is encapsulated in the phrase “The ends justify the means.”
  • The political theory presented in John Locke’s “Two Treatizes of Government”. He supported the notion of a social contract between the government and the governed. He also favoured the protection of life, liberty, and property.
  • Immanuel Kant heavily emphasized responsibility and moral law in his philosophy, particularly in his notion of the “categorical imperative. A Categorical imperative establishes universal laws of morality, defining an act as moral if it is universal, impartial, and rational.
  • Max Weber, in his theory of Bureaucracy, gave the importance of rational-legal authority to ensure good governance. He believed in a well-structured system of governance based on written rules and procedures. As per Weber, “The ethic of conviction and the ethic of responsibility are not opposites; they are complementary to one another.”

The modern philosophy of probity in governance emerged in the post-Cold War era, as exemplified by the World Bank, IMF, OECD, and other global institutions. Good governance is associated with efficient administration, which adheres to a democratic framework. It should be citizen-friendly, effective, and ethical. Moreover, the governing process must be just, reasonable, fair, empathetic and based on a strong constitutional framework.

Quotes on Probity in Governance
  • “No responsibility of government is more fundamental than the responsibility of maintaining higher standards of ethical behaviour”- John F Kennedy.
  •  “The measure of a man is what he does with power”- Plato
  • “Where there is no law, there is no freedom”- John Locke
  • The lack of moral earnestness, which has been a conspicuous feature of recent years, is perhaps the greatest single factor which hampers the growth of strong traditions of integrity and efficiency.”- Committee on Prevention of Corruption, 1964 (also known as Santhanam Committee)
  • “Just as it is not possible not to taste honey or poison placed on the surface of the tongue, even so, it is not possible for one dealing with the money of the king not to taste the money in however small a quantity”- Kautilya (in Arthashastra)
  • “Just as fish moving inside water cannot be known when drinking water, even so, officers appointed for carrying out works cannot be known when appropriating Money”- Kautilya (in Arthashastra)

Conclusion

Overall, probity in governance cannot be achieved by governments alone. Rather, it depends on the cooperation and participation of all the citizens and organizations. Precisely, probity in governance is based on political and institutional processes and outcomes that are necessary for achieving the goals of development. Therefore, Probity in governance should be applicable to all sections, i.e. government, legislature, judiciaries, the media, the private sector, the corporate sectors, the cooperatives, societies registered under the Society Registration Act and NGOs.

PYQs on Probity in Governance
  1. ‘Probity is essential for an effective system of government and socio-economic development.’ Discuss. (2023)
  2. Explain the term social capital. How does it enhance good governance? (2023)
  3. Write short notes on the following in 30 words: Probity in public life. (2022)
  4. Wisdom lies in knowing what to reckon with and what to overlook. An officer being engrossed with the periphery, ignoring the core issues before him, is not rare in the bureaucracy. Do you agree that such preoccupation of an administrator leads to the travesty of justice to the cause of effective service delivery and good governance? Critically evaluate. (2022)
  5. What do you understand by the term ‘good governance’? How far recent initiatives in terms of e-governance steps taken by the State have helped the beneficiaries? Discuss with suitable examples. (2022)
  6. What do you understand by the terms ‘governance’, ‘good governance’ and ‘ethical governance’? (2016) 
  7. What do you understand by ‘probity’ in public life? What are the difficulties in practising it in the present times? How can these difficulties be overcome? (2014)

Probity, which descends from Latin probus, meaning “honest,” implies tried and proven honesty or integrity.

1. Probity: This refers to the quality of being completely honest in life and in all endeavors or relationship.
2. Honesty: This is the quality of being truthful, sincere and straightforward in one’s dealings with others.
3. Contentment: This means the ability to be satisfied with what one has at a given period of time.

Integrity is the quality of being honest and having a consistent and uncompromising adherence to strong moral and ethical principles and values. In ethics, integrity is regarded as the honesty and truthfulness or earnestness of one’s actions. Integrity can stand in opposition to hypocrisy.

Probity in governance, emphasizing honesty and integrity, is crucial for building public trust, ensuring fair and transparent operations, and fostering a stable and prosperous society.

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