Q7. Public trust is eroded not only by corruption in office but by moral lapses in private life. Examine how ethical conduct in personal spheres shapes credibility and legitimacy in public service. (10 M)
Difficulty Level: Medium
Reference: TH
Why the question:
To assess understanding of how an individual’s personal ethics influence the legitimacy and credibility of public service, linking private morality to public trust and institutional integrity.Key Demand of the question:
The question asks to explain how ethical failings in private life undermine public trust, and to examine how maintaining personal integrity strengthens moral authority, credibility, and legitimacy in governance.Structure of the Answer:
Introduction:Define the moral foundation of public service and the interdependence between private virtue and public credibility.
Body:
- Show how moral lapses in personal life weaken citizens’ faith and institutional image.
- Explain how ethical conduct in private spheres builds credibility, trust, and legitimacy in public service.
- Mention mechanisms like code of conduct, moral leadership, and institutional ethics training to reinforce integrity.
Conclusion:
Conclude that ethics in governance must extend beyond office walls—personal morality sustains public legitimacy and enduring trust.
