Administrative Ethics & Decision Making | CSAT Preparation - UPSC PDF Download

Introduction

The term "moral" refers to a set of principles and standards that guide an individual's actions and behavior. While the word "ethics" is sometimes used interchangeably with "moral," they are not exactly the same. Ethics refers to the behavior that is considered customary within a particular culture or society. Therefore, ethical standards may vary as one moves from one society to another. On the other hand, moral standards pertain to an individual's personal beliefs about right and wrong, and they generally remain consistent across different societies.
Administrative ethics can be understood as a set of rules infused with moral values. It involves shared responsibility and the application of ethical standards to discuss and make decisions that promote the common welfare.

Why Administrative Ethics Required for Civil Servants?

• To uphold honesty and integrity in serving the society.
• To establish goals that prioritize the welfare of the public.
• To adhere to democratic and secular principles.
• To regulate the interaction between the government and the people.
• To embody the values enshrined in the Constitution and promote social justice.
• To ensure equal opportunities for all citizens.
• To safeguard civil rights.
• To uplift marginalized and disadvantaged individuals.

Civil servants are expected to possess comprehensive competence based on their verified knowledge, experience, and expertise. They should also maintain independence to provide official advice to ministers and effectively implement public policies and decisions in the best interest of the public.

Factors Affecting Ethics

Following factors affect the characteristics of ethics in an individual:

The values instilled in an individual during their formative years by parents, teachers, friends, and relatives significantly impact their ethics and moral compass. These influences subsequently shape the individual's decision-making capabilities, which are intertwined with factors such as ego strength, self-control, balanced personality, and sound judgment.

Individual Characteristics

When individuals join an organization, they bring with them a set of values that have been ingrained in them from a young age through influences such as parents, teachers, and friends. These values represent their fundamental beliefs about what is right and wrong.
Two personality factors have been identified as influential in an individual's actions:

• Ego strength: This is a measure of an individual's conviction and determination. Those with high ego strength are more likely to act according to their personal beliefs of what is right. They exhibit greater consistency in their moral judgments and actions.
• Locus of control: This reflects an individual's perception of the degree to which they have control over their own destiny. Individuals with an internal locus of control believe they have control over their fate, while those with an external locus of control attribute what happens to them to luck, chance, or destiny.

Therefore, individual characteristics play a significant role in shaping a person's behavior, influencing whether it leans towards ethical or unethical conduct.

Structure of Organisation/ Administration

The structure or design of an organization or administration has an impact on the ethical behavior of its employees. Certain structures offer clear guidance and convey a strong message about ethical conduct, while others create ambiguity and uncertainty, which can affect how individuals navigate ethical situations within the organization.

Culture of Organisation/Administration

Fostering a culture that promotes high ethical standards and embraces a willingness to take risks encourages employees to be proactive and innovative, while also instilling a sense of caution against engaging in unethical practices.

Approaches to Ethical Decision Making

In order to make ethical decisions when solving a problem, it is crucial to accurately identify the underlying issue.
This can be achieved by considering certain approaches, including:

• Rights-based approach: This approach emphasizes that an action or policy is ethical if it upholds and promotes moral rights, dignity, and respect for individuals. Ethical decision-making in this context revolves around protecting and advancing these rights.
• Utilitarian approach: The utilitarian approach is guided by the principle of maximizing benefits and minimizing harm or loss. Decisions should aim to avoid policies or rules that adversely affect people and instead prioritize actions that lead to overall positive outcomes.
• Virtue approach: The virtue approach focuses on developing moral virtues in decision-making. Actions and decisions should be based on qualities such as compassion, loyalty, and integrity, aiming to cultivate virtuous behavior.
• Fairness or justice approach: This approach is rooted in the principle of distributing burdens and benefits equally, unless there are morally justifiable reasons for differences. Ethical decisions should consider what individuals truly deserve based on principles of fairness and justice.
• Humane community approach: This approach centers around the idea that ethical actions are those that promote the common good for a community. Decisions should be made with the aim of benefiting the community as a whole.

Overall, ethical decision-making involves a process of evaluating alternatives and selecting the course of action that aligns with these approaches.