General Studies Mains-2014 Paper-4 (Ethics and Integrity) Answer : Q-10

 Suppose one of your close friends, who is also aspiring for civil services, comes to you for discussing some of the issues related to ethical conduct in public service. He raises the following points :

1. In the present times, when unethical environment is quite prevalent, individual attempts to stick to ethical principles may cause a lot of problems in one’s career. It may also cause hardship to the family members as well as risk to one’s life. Why should we not be pragmatic and follow the path of least resistance, and be happy with doing whatever good we can?
2. When so many people are adopting wrong means and are grossly harming the system, what difference would it make if only a small minority tries to be ethical? They are going to be rather ineffective and are bound to get frustrated.
3. If we become fussy about ethical considerations, will it not hamper the economic progress of our country? After all, in the present age of high competition, we cannot afford to be left behind in the race of development.
4. It is understandable that we should not get involved in grossly unethical practices, but giving and accepting small gratifications and doing small favours increases everybody’s motivation. It also makes the system more efficient. What is wrong in adopting such practices?

Critically analyze the above viewpoints. On the basis of this analysis, what will be your advice to your friend? 250 words.

It takes many tiny bricks to build one large wall. Thus, it takes many ethical people to make a society that it ethical. The fact that others are not ethical is not a reason for one to be unethical. It is one’s duty to oneself to do the right despite other people’s actions. We must not let such extraneous considerations affect us. If one person is ethical despite multiple challenges, he/she may inspire other people to follow his/her footsteps and they in turn might inspire others and so on and so forth. No person has achieved true greatness by blindly following others’ footsteps or meandering away from the path of righteousness.

Ethical considerations do not hamper economic progress, but ensure that progress takes place in a fair and unbiased manner. In the long run, being ethical will work in our favour even if it seems otherwise in the short term. We may lose small battles in the race to development, but being ethical will ensure that we win the war.

Unethical actions are unethical be they small or large in quantum. Small gratifications and favours cannot be forgiven because other grossly unethical practises are prevalent. Today’s small gratifications morph into large scams involving crores of rupees in the long run. Such actions do not make the system efficient but reduce its efficiency and effectiveness. They also mar the faith that people have in such institutions.

I would advice my friend to ignore such noxious thoughts, and state unequivocally that there is no shortcut or way past ethical behaviour. We must strive to be ethical despite and not be swayed by other’s unethical behaviour.