S

Sachin

Question 11Answer in 250 words) 20 MarksEthicsGS1

An influential politician, a third-time MP, was known in his State for his infrastructure development works, especially roads and irrigation canals. Acknowledging his developmental work and goodwill, the Party appointed him the State Party President. Since his Party is also the ruling Party in the State, the MP has started working closely with the Chief Minister. After six months of becoming the Party President, the MP learned that a sizable amount of development funds were diverted to party promotional activities. Further, a few mega-development projects were allocated to the relatives of the CM and a few of his close ministers. The MP was neither impressed nor happy with how the State government managed development funds because the Party had won the last elections promising development and clean administration. There was a lot of financial corruption in the State ministries; some of the ministers used the State machinery for personal purposes. He knew if the Party continued to function the way it is now, it would be an electoral disaster in the next elections. The MP was a politician with a conscience. His dilemma was that, as a Party President, he had to ensure his Party won the next elections. To do that, he had to clean up the State administration, which meant locking horns with the CM, an extremely powerful figure well-supported by the Party's senior members. And importantly, the MP was unwilling to risk his political career, which he had built after years of hard work. 1. What do you think are the issues involved in the above case? 2. What options are available to the MP in the above case? 3. Evaluate the options and suggest a course of action to the MP. 4. Distinguish between political and bureaucratic corruption. Can bureaucracy play a role in checking political corruption?

Open scan (p.52)

Introduction

The above case is one of the seven sins given by Gandhiji i.e. 'Politics without principle'

16 words

Main Body

The above case is one of the seven sins given by Gandhiji i.e. 'Politics without principle'

1Issues involved in the case
1Hypocrisy of political party & going against electoral promises of clean administration
2Diversion of funds from public exchequer to party activities
3Public welfare v/s Personal interest
4Partiality in allocation of mega developmental projects
5Lack of ethical governance
6Dilemma of state party president electoral win v/s ethical integrity in next election
2Options available to MP

Option 1: Prioritize electoral win for next election & his political career over public welfare

Option 2: Resign from political party which goes against his core values

Option 3: Call for Intra-party meeting and decide on measures to curb corruption with positive actions taken against ones involved

3Option 1

Merits:

i) No damage to party in next election & smooth political career growth

ii) Fulfillment of his duty as party president in making his party win

Demerits:

i) Crisis of conscience & suffering from guilt

ii) Long term damage to party

Option 2

Merits:

i) Maintain concordance between his internal value system & external career

ii) Free from crisis of conscience

Demerits:

i) The party might go ahead with both corruption & winning the election

ii) Jeopardize his career growth

Option 3

Merits:

i) Reestablish the moral values & ethical principles inside the party

ii) Long term - good image creation for his party

Demerits:

i) Short term electoral loss

ii) Might not get adequate support from party & its members

Course of action for MP

1Call for party meeting which the issue of corruption is openly discussed in front of senior leaders who had promised clean administration
2Make each party member realise that their party was formed with motto of public service and as a political party, they should not have any motive to make money from corruption
3Explain them the ill effects of corruption in long term and how it would make party lose its charm amongst public by quoting relevant examples & evidences.
343 words5 paragraphs

Diagram

Bar chart showing stakeholders and their stake: State development, Clean administration, Not financial corruption, Electoral gains - across axis labeled State, Governance, MP & State party president, Political party

Answer continues on next page
  • Effective use of Gandhi's seven social sins concept
  • Stakeholder diagram analysis

Topper

Sachin

Subject & Paper

EthicsGS1

Topic

Ethics Case Study

Political corruption

Politics without principle - Gandhi's seven sins

Writing Stats

359

Total words

5

Paragraphs

analytical

Tone