In News:Tavleen Singh writes: Are corrupt officials alone to blame?
1.What role does public perception play in perpetuating a culture of corruption among political leaders, and what measures can be implemented to foster higher ethical standards among public officials?
Role of Public Perception in Corruption
Normalisation of unethical behaviour: When the public overlooks unethical actions, it signals that such behaviour is acceptable, allowing corruption to become entrenched.
Selective accountability:Citizens often focus outrage on specific politicians while ignoring similar behaviours in others, enabling corrupt practices.
Trust erosion:Lack of scrutiny diminishes trust in institutions, leading to decreased civic engagement and further entrenchment of corruption.
Whistleblower deterrence: Fear of retaliation discourages individuals from reporting corruption, further entrenching unethical behaviour within institutions.
Moral rationalisation: Individuals may justify unethical actions by claiming that “everyone does it,” thereby diminishing their moral objections and normalising corrupt behaviour.
Ethical blindness: Individuals may fail to recognize the ethical implications of their actions due to a desensitisation to corruption within their environment, leading to unintentional unethical behaviour.
Cognitive dissonance: The discomfort from holding conflicting moral beliefs can push individuals to act unethically in order to fit in with what they see as acceptable behaviour
Moral disengagement: People may disengage from their ethical standards when they observe widespread corruption, allowing them to partake in unethical behaviour without guilt or accountability.
Measures to foster higher ethical standards
Establishing a Code of Conduct: A clear code sets expectations for ethical behaviour and accountability among public officials.Ex:Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964
Transparency and public scrutiny: Increasing transparency in decision-making processes allows citizens to hold officials accountable. Mechanisms such as public disclosures, open meetings, and accessible information about governmental actions can enhance scrutiny and deter corrupt practices . Ex: Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005
Whistleblower protection: Stronger protection laws encourage reporting of unethical behaviour without fear of retaliation.
Public engagement and education: Educating citizens empowers them to demand higher ethical standards from their leaders.
Leadership by example: Political leaders must model ethical conduct to inspire similar behaviour in others.
Accountability mechanisms: Robust frameworks ensure officials are held responsible through audits and evaluations. Ex: Central Vigilance Commission (CVC),Lokpal Act, 2013
Encouraging ethical behaviour: Policies that reward integrity among public servants promote a culture of ethical conduct.
Ex: The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) promotes transparent procurement by providing a digital platform
By addressing the role of public perception in perpetuating corruption and implementing these measures, it is possible to cultivate a political culture that upholds high ethical standards and promotes accountability among public officials.
PYQ
“Corruption is the manifestation of the failure of core values in the society.” In your opinion, what measures can be adopted to uplift the core values in the society? 2023
“Non-performance of duty by a public servant is a form of corruption” Do you agree with this view? Justify your answer.2019
“If a country is to be corruption free and become a nation of beautiful minds, I strongly feel there are three key societal members who can make a difference. they are father, the mother and the teacher.” – A. P. J. Abdul Kalam. Analyse.. 2017
It is often said that poverty leads to corruption. However, there is no dearth of instances where affluent and powerful people indulge in corruption in a big way. What are the basic causes of corruption among people? Support your answer with examples. 2014.