Topic: Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration: Status and problems; ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions; laws, rules, regulations and conscience as sources of ethical guidance; accountability and ethical governance; strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance; ethical issues in international relations and funding; corporate governance.
7. What do you understand by ‘civic virtue’ in public life? What are the challenges in practicing it in today’s time? How can these challenges be overcome? Elaborate. (250 words)
Reference: Ethics by Lexicon Publications
Why this question:
The question is based on the concept of civic virtue and its importance in public life.
Key demand of the question:
Explain what do you understand by ‘civic virtue’ in public life? What are the challenges in practicing it in today’s time? How can these challenges be overcome.
Directive:
Elaborate – Give a detailed account as to how and why it occurred, or what is the particular context. You must be defining key terms where ever appropriate, and substantiate with relevant associated facts.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Civic virtue is morality or a standard of righteous behavior in relation to a citizen’s involvement in a society. It is an underpinning of how a citizen relates to the society. As such, civic virtue has different notions in different societies
Body:
To start with, Define the civic virtue and discuss different dimensions of civic virtue. Civic virtue lays stress on communitarianism rather than individualism. Robert Putnam has defined three civic virtues: active participation in public life, trustworthiness and reciprocity that is required through social connectedness. Discuss the challenges faced by public while practicing it; Growing individualism, Competition for limited resources, Lack of trust between public organizations and people, Difficulties in bringing about changes in behaviour and attitude etc. Suggest what needs to be done to overcome these challenges? – Promote civic education, Lead by Example, bring awareness about rights and duties etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
