The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is the apex recruiting body in India responsible for selecting candidates for various prestigious civil services positions. In 2015, the General Studies Paper 4, also known as the Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude paper, presented candidates with a challenging array of questions aimed at evaluating their ethical and moral reasoning, decision-making abilities, and overall aptitude. This paper, a critical component of the UPSC examination, tests not only the knowledge but also the character and judgment of aspiring civil servants. Let’s delve into the solved questions of the UPSC 2015 GS 4 paper to gain insight into the rigorous standards expected of future administrators and leaders in India.
Q7. At the international level, bilateral relations between most nations are governed by the policy of promoting one’s national interest without any regard for the interest of other nations. This leads to conflicts and tension between the nations. How can ethical consideration help resolve such tensions? Discuss with specific examples. (150 Words, 10 Marks)
Tags: 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.
Decoding the Question:
- In the Intro, try to give an account of Foreign Policy of a nation and government’s take on it.
- In Body,
- Reasons for Ethical Conflict.
- In Conclusion, try to suggest ways in which ethical consideration can help resolve such tensions.
Answer:
In the international arena, every nation has an approach towards the other nation which guides its foreign relations and influences its policies. A country has economic, political and strategic interests, which determine its foreign policy. Countries try to promote their national interest at the cost of interest of other nations. Colonialism, World wars, bio-prospecting etc are some of the examples.
Reasons for Ethical Conflict:
- The nation has responsibility towards its citizen hence work for emancipation of them. It should be aimed at mutual benefit of all and maintaining an environment of harmony. But under this responsibility it sometimes works for the vested interest which moves to the unethical path.
- They deliberately initiate violence and instability in the region and exploit the resources of poor and less developed nations for its gain. This has increased conflict between developed and developing and both counter each other at international forums to gain maximum out of it without thinking about large consequences of it.
- For example: The condition prevailing in West Asia can be understood as an example in this case. The Syrian civil war and the attack by Saudi Arabia can be seen as an effort by these nations to serve their vested interest without any regard to loss of lives of millions of people.
- The refugee crisis has brought a large number of people to the brink of marginalization. The countries providing aid to these refugees also seem to have some vested interest in helping them. These conditions have created conflicts and tensions.
- There are no internationally accepted standards of morality to which any government could appeal if it wished to act in the name of moral principles.
- Culture-driven ethics vary between nations, making it difficult for policy makers of one nation to adhere to a strict code of ethics for itself, while dealing in the international arena.
- Ethical dilemma occurs when foreign policy makers must decide whether to commit an act that is ethically unacceptable in the home country, but expected and necessary in another country.
Ethical consideration can help resolve such tensions:
Formulating foreign policies is the responsibility of the government. Thus, moral consideration in foreign policy depends on the government, not on an individual or the citizenry at large. These issues can be resolved by implementing the following principles:
- Principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam: Our principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, i.e. World is a global village, and can help in establishing peace and harmony in the world. It gives us the message that we need to look beyond these man-made boundaries, for the larger good of humanity.
- Principle of Utilitarianism: The principle of the maximum good of a maximum number of people should be followed while formulating bilateral relations.
- Policies of NAM: These should be followed to maintain peace and harmony in the world.
- Principle of Peaceful Co-existence (Panchsheel): Instead of mutual antagonism, our foreign policy should be driven by the idea of peaceful co-existence. Countries can prosper only in a peaceful global order.
- Respecting Sovereignty: Every country aims to uphold its sovereignty irrespective of the situation and if any other nation tries to violate that, a fierce situation may arise between them. As an ethical way of resolving conflicts, the sovereign power of the nation to make decisions must be respected without interference.
- Not to lose sight of long-term peace: It is essential to look for obtaining long-term peace even if it involves keeping aside differences. When a nation in an authoritative position takes the soft path of morality, the conflict usually goes down automatically. Example: When the relationship between India and Maldives was turning sour, India helped Maldives with its water crisis by providing drinking water. This helped gain assurance of the state.
Ethics in international relations mitigate wars and friction and help create peaceful ecosystems. Further, it promotes goodwill and trust, and also convergence and coherence in the spirit of all. In the words of Noam Chomsky, “ If it is wrong when they do it, it is wrong when we do it”.
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