Ethics in Governance: Identifying the Crucial Issues
| DOI | 10.1177/0019556120130305 |
| Published date | 01 July 2013 |
| Date | 01 July 2013 |
| Author | Asok Kumar Mukhopadhyay |
| Subject Matter | Article |
ETHICS IN GOVERNANCE: IDENTIFYING THE
CRUCIAL ISSUES
ASOK
KUMAR
MUKHOPADHYAY
The ethics
of
democratic governance is based on three kinds
of
value systems: ethical values, democratic values
and
corporate values. Ethical values include a sense
of
fair play
and
personal integrity. Democratic values stand
for
rule
of
law,
participation, responsiveness, transparency. The ethical
preparation
of
the participating individuals and groups in the
larger society, positive
or
negative; unlike the scientific and
technological level attained, is the crucial factor in human
life that produces welfare
and
happiness
or,
alternatively,
misery
and
sorrow. Ethical consciousness about the social
consequences
of
all kinds
of
decision-making can serve as the
monitor in order to check the sharp decline in governance
ethics. What is conventionally called corruption is essentially
the result
of
decline in ethical consciousness
of
the individual,
group and societj at large. Rationality must be guided by ethics
in governance. In other words, government is to be responsive
to the needs, aspirations and choices
of
the governed.
INTRODUCTION
ETHICS
IN
equated with Dharma
in
Indian philosophy'.
Kautilya's
understanding
of
ethics reveals that those who perform their duties with
devotion and sincerity are sure to enjoy happiness in every sphere
of
life
(Sukhasya mulam Dharma). Here Dhanna means righteousness. Unethical
behaviour pushes one into a vicious circle.
In
the governance process, the
policy-makers and policy-implementers, both in public administration and
corporate management, must not fall a prey to unethical behaviour. Ethics
education is the most important education.
It
makes a person
or
an institution
really knowledgeable, socially powerful, and professionally capable
of
discharging the· assigned responsibilities in a satisfactory manner. That
ethics is important in shaping human mind was effectively shown
by
Vishnu
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