Ethical Governance and Society: Social and Cultural Contexts
| Author | Shalini Rajneesh |
| Date | 01 July 2013 |
| Published date | 01 July 2013 |
| DOI | 10.1177/0019556120130309 |
| Subject Matter | Article |
ETHICAL GOVERNANCE AND SOCIETY: SOCIAL
AND CULTURAL CONTEXTS
SHALINI RAJNEESH
Ethics and governance are mutually important for stability
of
society. Ethics is the moving spirit
of
a welfare state. Persons
with ethical values are known to perfonn their duties with
dedication. Such people are self-motivated and do not require
any guiding spirit. The institutions are but a reflection
of
society and its values. An ethical administration draws its
moral strength mainly from the obtaining value system
of
the
society
at
large. This is indeed the most critical phenomenon
that leads to a 'Virtuous Cycle'
of
ethical behaviour,
in
private
or
in public. Ethical standards
in
administration are largely
drawn from the efficiency and motivation level
of
the people.
The administrative systems can be galvanized by proper thrust
on motivation
of
the human resource, organisational change
management, effective monitoring and evaluation supported
by continuous capacity building, among other initiatives.
"ETIIlCS IS a set
of
standards that a society sets on itself and which help
guide behaviour, choices and actions. The crux
of
ethical behaviour does
not lie in bold words and expressions enshrined as standards, but in their
adoption in action, in sanctions against their violations, in putting in place
competent disciplinary bodies to investigate allegations
of
violations and
impose sanctions quickly and
in
promoting a culture
of
integrity. The
commission is painfully aware that, standards do not,
by
themselves, ensure
ethical behavior; that requires a robust culture
of
integrity".*
BACKGROUND
The governance is probably at its lowest ebb in the recent days with
more and more
of
scams unfolding themselves through the media. Some
years ago it used to be a hush-hush affair shrouded in utmost secrecy because
*Source: Second Administrative Reforms Commission, 4th Report.
To continue reading
Request your trial