I. Ethical Concerns

• Definition: Situations where moral principles are being violated or are about to be violated.

• Major Ethical Concerns in Administration:

  • Colonial Structure of Administration:
    • Established by the British to fulfill colonial interests.
    • Based on the bureaucratic model of Max Weber.
    • Problems:
      • Hurdle in public welfare.
      • Lack of transparency.
      • Hierarchical structure hinders team spirit.
      • Lack of public participation.
      • Centralization of power.
      • Ignoring public sensitivity.
      • Lack of public contact due to elitism.
  • Politicization of Civil Services:
    • Administrators working with politicians may compromise neutrality.
    • Politicians influence ideologies and provide favors (transfers, postings).
    • Civil servants may be politically inclined.
    • Influence of communalism and casteism.
    • Contact with pressure groups can lead to partiality.
  • Rising Stress Levels in Civil Servants:
    • Work burden.
    • Limited resources.
    • Pressure from the media.
    • Political interference.
    • Lack of security of tenure (frequent transfers).
  • Misuse of Power (Leading to Corruption):
    • Using power to fulfill personal interests.

• Bureaucratic vs. Democratic Models:

  Feature	Bureaucratic (Weberian)	Democratic
  Transparency	Non-Transparent	Transparent
  Hierarchy	Rigid	Team Spirit
  Public Participation	Lack of	Focus on
  Emphasis	Rules & Regulations	Public Service Delivery
  Power	Centralization	Decentralization
  Intelligence	Rational	Emotional

II. Corruption

• Types of Corruption:

  • Based on Sector: Political, Administrative, Media, Military, Private Sector.
  • Based on Nature:
    • Collusive Corruption: Private sector and civil servants collaborate. (e.g., 2G spectrum scam).
    • Coercive Corruption: Bribe is extracted through force or pressure.

• Causes of Corruption:

  • Administrative Causes: Complex procedures, discretionary powers, lack of accountability, failure to follow codes of ethics.
  • Legal Causes: Lack of laws, non-implementation of existing laws, weak whistleblower protection.
  • Social Causes: Low moral values, societal acceptance of corruption, materialistic culture.
  • Economic Causes: Low salaries, license raj, lack of economic opportunity.
  • Political Causes: Protection of corrupt politicians, crony capitalism, money and muscle power.
  • Personal Causes: Ambition, low morality.

• Solutions to Corruption:

  • Administrative Solutions: Simplify processes, promote e-governance and RTI, reward honest officers, select officers with high moral standards, train moral values, follow codes of conduct and ethics, implement recommendations of committees and reports.
  • Legal Solutions: Implement anti-corruption laws (e.g., Benami Property Act), simple and fast legal processes, special courts for corruption cases, protect whistleblowers.
  • Social Solutions: Increase standards of morality, create social pressure against corruption, provide social prestige to honest civil servants.
  • Economic Solutions: Increase salaries, reduce salary disparities, create economic opportunities, reduce the role of the government in the economy (Minimum Government, Maximum Governance).
  • Political Solutions: Political awareness against corruption, make corruption a political issue, ban corrupt persons from politics.
  • Personal/Individual Solutions: High moral standards, idealize people with strong character.

III. Ethical Dilemmas

• Definition: Situations where an individual faces a choice between conflicting moral principles or values.

• Types of Ethical Dilemmas:

  • Personal Cost Ethical Dilemma: Compliance with ethical conduct results in significant personal cost to the decision-maker. (e.g., injuring valued relationships).
  • Right vs. Right Ethical Dilemma: Conflict between two valid ethical principles. (e.g., transparency vs. oath of secrecy).
  • Conjoint Ethical Dilemma: both personal cost and right vs right dilemma are present.
  • Frequency of Encounter:
    • Civil Servants and Politicians.
    • Civil Servants and Citizens.
    • Intra-Civil Service.

• Common Ethical Dilemmas Faced by Civil Servants:

  • Development vs. Environment.
  • Transparency vs. Secrecy.
  • Personal vs. Public Interest.
  • Interpretation of Government Policies.
  • Obeying Orders of Seniors.
  • Disagreement with Political Ideology of Government.
  • Contradiction between Personal Values and Administrative Responsibilities.

• Resolving Ethical Dilemmas:

  • Democratic Accountability of Administration: Bureaucracy functions under a political order; address concerns to politicians in writing.
  • Imperative of Legality: Civil servants should take decisions according to law. It protects public interests.
  • Imperative of Integrity: Civil servants must behave with integrity, following codes of ethics and conduct. It is source of internal self control.
  • Imperative of Responsiveness: Civil servant should be responsive to society and pay attention to needs and demands of people. Create enabling environment for social and human developement. Promoting concepts like "Sarvodaya" and "Antyodaya".
  • Use of Ethical Guidance: Consult constitutions, laws, departmental rules, senior advisors, and personal conscience developed through ethical studies.

• Resolution of Ethical Dilemmas in Private Life:

  • Clarify personal values.
  • Prioritize broader interests over narrow interests; use cost-benefit analysis.
  • Seek ethical guidance from parents, teachers, and friends.
  • Conscience