Q7. When accountability is diffused, responsibility disappears. Analyse systemic ethical failures arising from fragmented oversight. Suggest reforms to restore clear moral traceability. (10 M)
Difficulty Level: Medium
Reference: NIE
Why the question
Recent high-profile governance failures show that when oversight is fragmented, no single actor bears ethical consequence, leading to systemic evasion of responsibility.Key demand of the question
Explain how diffused accountability weakens ethical decision ownership, assess ethical breakdowns caused by fragmented oversight, and suggest reforms that restore clear moral traceability.Structure of the Answer:
Introduction
Briefly relate dilution of ethical agency to the principle of identifiable responsibility within public institutions.Body
- For the statement: indicate ethical dilution when multiple actors hold power without defined consequence.
- Systemic failures: mention overlapping jurisdictions, unclear reporting channels, and delayed ethical response.
- Reforms: indicate need for single-point accountability, transparent audit trails, and secure reporting protections.
Conclusion
Highlight that integrity becomes enforceable only when authority, responsibility and answerability align clearly.
