9.

ETHICS
9.1. INDIC IDEA OF GOOD GOVERNANCE
Introduction
Recent emphasis on the idea of P2G2 or Pro-People Good Governance in India and the creation of a new Department
of Government Efficiency in USA indicates the growing realization towards better and people-oriented governance. In
this light, it is essential to revisit the India’s age old traditions that had the idea of Rajadharma imbibed in them dealing
with justice, fairness, and welfare of the people.
About Good Governance
• Governance was defined as the manner in which power is exercised in the management of a country’s economic
and social resources for development.
o It provides a comprehensive framework that ensures that the voices of the most vulnerable are heard and that
decisions are made to address both current and future needs.
• According to the United Nations, good
governance has eight major characteristics, viz,
participatory, consensus-oriented,
accountable, transparent, responsive,
effective, equitable, and inclusive, all while
adhering to the rule of law.
• Challenges to Good Governance: Corruption,
lack of accountability, judicial delays, poor law
implementation, inadequate public service
delivery etc.
Indic Idea of Good Governance
• Brihadaranya Upanishad: It stresses on the duty of the king to protect Dharma, the public good, so that all citizens
get equal opportunity and that the weak are not exploited.
• Mundaka Upanishad: It includes the phrase “Satyamev Jayate” that translates to Truth alone triumphs, a basic
part of good governance.
• Epic Ramayana: It talks about Ram-Rajya or ideal governance and offers essential insights into the crucial art of
leadership. According to Ram Rajya, a leader is expected to look after everyone who need help and support instead
of accumulating wealth for himself.
o The Ayodhya Kanda of Ramayana is a treatise on the issues related to good governance. In Ram Rajya, there
was no starvation, soreness or discrimination among the people
• Bhagwat Gita: Talks about the concept of Adhishthan, which is an important element at the foundation of
everything, including governance.
o Adhisthan, or the seat of action, relates to
good governance by ensuring decisions
are made with responsibility and stability,
fostering a transparent, accountable, and
effective administrative system.
• Atharvaveda: Atharvaveda contains a hymn
known as the Bhumi Suktam, dedicated to the
Earth. This hymn venerates the Earth as the
universal mother who nourishes all creatures,
and it emphasizes the need to live in harmony with nature.
• Thirukural: It deals with the orderly development of the society, including regulation to ensure reasonableness of
prospecting and exploitation of resources and protection of the environment.

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• Kautilya’s Arthashastra: It deals with Yogakashema, or the welfare of the citizens, and Raj Dharma describing king
as the servants of the citizens who looks after the sick, children, old, etc.
• Antyodaya: It is based on the ideas of Mahatma Gandhi that implies welfare of all through the weakest of the society
to achieve Sarvodaya or ‘development of all’.
Relevance of the Indic Ideas of Good Governance
• Adapting to Globalisation: Globalisation has limited the authority of government with the rise of various
transnational organizations and supranational organizations. Hence, reviving the Indic ideas of good governance
may fill up the vacuum in the areas of public order and welfare.
o Philosophies like Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family) promotes global unity and inclusivity.
• Sustainable living: Indic principles as mentioned in Atharvaveda underline the importance of sustainable
development practices, as seen in India’s commitment to SDGs and Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE).
• Preserving Democracy: By ensuring cooperation between the government and civil society/citizens.
o Karmayogi project for building capacities of government is governed by the same impulse.
• Welfare for All: Concept of Antodaya aligns with the modern concept of inclusive development.
o It is seen in programs like MGNREGA, Public Distribution System (PDS), and Ayushman Bharat aimed at uplifting
marginalized communities.
• Improving Diplomatic Relations: Ideas of Kautilya, focusing on pragmatism assess the strategic opportunities,
threats and risks while dealing with foreign countries.
• Conflict Resolution: The Nyaya system of jurisprudence, which focuses on justice, fairness, and mediation, offers
an alternative to adversarial legal systems.
o Modern governance could adopt elements of this approach to resolve conflicts more amicably, reducing the
burden on judicial systems.
Conclusion
Basic features of the modern day concept of good governance resonates well with the thought process and the
administrative structure postulated by the ancient scriptures. The primary objective of the authority in both the cases
essentially is the happiness of the people. Therefore, there is a strong need to dive into the seas and oceans of Ancient
Scriptures and gain pearls of wisdom necessary to build SMART (simple, moral, accountable, responsive and
transparent) administration.
Check your Ethical aptitude
You have recently taken charge as the District Magistrate of a remote district X. On interacting with the public and the
officials there, you find out that the district has a very poor governance track record with corruption among officials, poor
service delivery, and complacent attitude among officials. On further inquiry you find that both the officials and the
citizens are quite traditional in their beliefs and do not connect with modern governance ideas. Therefore, you feel the
urgent need to revamp the administrative strategy by linking it with Indic ideas of Good Governance so that it not only
resonates with the beliefs of the people but also the officials ensure their implementation with full spirit.
On the basis of the above case study, answer the following questions.
1. What are the key foundational notions of Indic Idea of Good Governance?
2. Citing few examples, suggest how Indic ideas help in the dealing with the problems being faced by governance of
district X?

9.2. ASPECTS OF PEACE

Introduction
Recently, World Leaders at 10th Global Forum of UN Alliance for Civilizations adopted the Cascais Declaration,
pledging to promote peace amid today’s turbulent times. The declaration highlighted the importance of
intergenerational dialogue for achieving peace, sustainable development, and human rights. Prior to this, the
UNESCO HK Association’s 2012 Peace Project introduced the Aspects of Peace—defining peace as harmony within
individuals and across all aspects of life.

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Five Aspects of Peace
Aspect Concept Challenges
Individual/ • It enables individuals to handle life’s • Mental Health Issues (anxiety, depression) due to
Inner Peace challenges, reduce stress, and work life imbalance, economic instability etc.
contribute positively to society. • Consumerism and Materialism.
Social • Focuses on creating peaceful & • Discrimination & Exclusion causes resentment
Peace harmonious relationships within and violence.
communities, through collaboration, • Misinformation, hate speech and prejudices
conflict resolution, equality, & justice. based on gender, race etc.
Ecological • Emphasizes importance of sustainable • Climate change, extreme weather etc. contribute
Peace development and a balanced to resource conflicts and displacements.
relationship with environment. • Insufficient cooperation on environmental issues.
Cultural • Encourages understanding, respect, • Ethnocentrism (Viewing one’s own culture as
Peace and appreciation for cultural diversity & superior), Cultural Intolerance, hate speech etc.
cultural exchanges.
Political • Fosters just, non-violent relationships • Global: Territorial disputes, and rivalries, Weak
Peace within groups, organizations, and International Governance, Proliferation of nuclear
communities across government, weapons etc.
business, and society. • National: Lack of rule of law, nepotism, corruption.
Some Philosophical Aspects of Peace
• Gandhian Conception of Peace: Gandhi’s core idea of peace was rooted in Ahimsa (nonviolence) and Satya
(truth). He also emphasized self-purification, simplicity, and compassion as prerequisites for societal peace.
• Utilitarian Concept of Peace: A peaceful society is one that enhances collective well-being, and peace is achieved
when actions maximize overall happiness and minimize suffering.
• Kantian Notion of Peace: Peace is not a passive state but an active moral obligation of individuals and nations.
Immanuel Kant believed in perpetual peace through rationality, universal morality, and international cooperation.

Key Stakeholders in Promoting Peace

Global/Political Peace
Governments • Government set policies, enacts laws, and enforce regulations that can promote
peace, human rights, and justice within their countries and globally.
International • They mediate conflicts, promote diplomacy, and coordinate efforts for global peace
Organizations and sustainable development.
Civil Society • They are instrumental in advocating for peace, human rights, and social change at the
Organizations local, national, and global levels.
Social and Cultural Peace
Community Leaders • Local leaders play a critical role in promoting peace by resolving conflicts, advocating
for justice, and fostering social cohesion in their communities.
Religious & spiritual • They have significant influence in promoting peace by advocating for love,
leaders compassion, forgiveness, and religious tolerance across cultural and religious
divides.

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 Mainstream media & • It plays a vital role in ensuring peace by promoting truthful information and countering
social media misinformation and hate speech etc.
Individual/Inner Peace
Individuals • Each person contributes to peace by practicing tolerance, understanding, and
empathy in their daily life, creating peaceful environments within their families and
communities
Families • Families are the first unit of society where peacebuilding begins. They instill values
of non-violence, respect, and conflict resolution in their children.
Educational • Teachers and curricula shape future generations by teaching peaceful values, critical
Institutions thinking, social justice, environmental sustainability and conflict resolution
Initiatives Undertaken to Restore and Promote Peace
• Global Peace: Various global institutions like World Bank, UN, etc. fostering the dialogue and cooperation,
multipolarity to ensure global stability and peace.
• Political Peace: Global institutions like International Court of Justice (ICJ) and several peace negotiations and
treaties ensure peaceful dispute settlement.
• Ecological Peace: Initiatives like Paris Agreement address environmental degradation to prevent resource-based
conflicts. Programs like WWF’s Earth Hour raise awareness about ecological sustainability.
• Inner Peace: Global events such as International Yoga Day and World Meditation Day foster mental well-being.
• Cultural Peace: UNESCO’s World Culture Forums promote understanding between diverse cultural groups.
o UNESCO’s cultural heritage Programe works to preserve cultural landmarks prevent destruction during
conflicts, symbolizing unity and peace.
Conclusion
Peace is a holistic concept. It is not just the absence of conflict, but the active presence of harmony, justice, equality,
and understanding both within individuals and between nations. Building peace from the inside out encourages
sustainable solutions to global problems, such as human rights, environmental protection, and economic equity.

Case Study
Rivania, a fictional country in a geopolitically sensitive region, faces a long-standing territorial dispute with its neighbor,
Cardovia, over a resource-rich border. The conflict has caused repeated clashes, displacement, and regional
instability. Multilateral institutions like the Global Peace Council have failed to mediate effectively due to political
biases and weak enforcement, deepening mistrust. Socially, the dispute fuels nationalism and discrimination against
ethnic minorities in Rivania, eroding social cohesion. Individually, border residents face fear, trauma, and
conscription, tearing families apart. Peace activists remain disillusioned as global institutions struggle to address the
conflict, exacerbating its impact on society and individuals.
Based on the above case study, answer the following questions:
• Identify the various stakeholders and ethical issues involved in the case.
• Discuss how different aspects of peace are connected to each other?
• As a leader in Rivania, how can you demonstrate ethical leadership by navigating the conflict with Cardovia?

9.3. CONCEPT OF LIBERTY

Introduction
Recently, in Arvind Kejriwal vs CBI case, Supreme Court said that Arvind Kejriwal's continued incarceration would infringe
upon the right to personal liberty under Article 21. With this and similar other decisions, Supreme Court has upheld the
principle of bail as rule and jail as exception, while underlining the sacrosanct nature of the individual’s right to personal
liberty guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution.
Concept of Liberty
• Liberty refers to the state or condition in which an individual has the freedom to act according to their will, without
undue restraint or coercion from external forces.

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• There are two aspects to the concept of Liberty (see infographic).
• Constraints on Liberty: Restrictions on liberty may be imposed by force or government through laws and can also
result from social inequality and economic inequality.
o Need for Constraints: Differences exist between
people regarding their ideas and opinions, and
there are conflicting ambitions and competition to
control scarce resources.
> Therefore, every society needs some
restraints to ensure that differences may be
discussed and debated without one group
coercively imposing its views on the other.
However, such restraints must be reasonable
and justified.
Ethical Frameworks surrounding Liberty
• John Stuart Mill’s harm principle: Mill urged for
minimal state intervention in the exercise of
liberties, arguing that “the only power that can be
rightfully exercised over any member of a civilised
community, against his will, is to prevent harm to
others”. This is called the ‘harm principle’.
o Constraints: Mill believed that that the state or
society do not have any justification in restricting
self-regarding actions (actions having
consequences only for individual actors and
nobody else).
> However, the state or society can control
other-regarding actions (actions having
consequences for others).
> For instance, in Navtej Singh Johar vs. Union
of India case, the Supreme Court buttressed
its conclusion that the state cannot
criminalise homosexuality (self-regarding
action) by recalling Mill’s theory.
• Liberty and Rights: Liberty is integrally linked to the
rights as the due enforcement of the rights ensures the
availability of legitimate freedom to the subjects of the
state.
o Principle-based Framework: Rights framework
emphasizes on liberty based on moral principles
and human rights, which sometimes are in conflict with one another.
> According to it, civil liberty depends upon positive laws such as legal rights.
• Isaiah Berlin’s Ethical Pluralism: It is a political and philosophical theory that there are multiple objective values
and principles that are part of humanity's essence.
o Berlin’s value pluralism emphasizes on both positive liberty and negative liberty as fundamental human value.

Constitutional Framework surrounding Liberty

• Article 21: It guarantees that no person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to
procedure established by law. It provides one of the most robust legal safeguards for personal liberty.
• Article 19: It grants freedom of speech and expression without fear of state repression.
o Mill emphasized that a society that completely suppresses all ideas that are not acceptable today, runs
the danger of losing the benefits of what might turn out to be very valuable knowledge.

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 o However, Mill also recognized the limits of free speech, particularly in cases where speech could incite
violence or harm others such as hate campaigns and hate speeches.
> To address such issues, the Constitution imposes reasonable restrictions such as preventing speech
that incites violence, promotes enmity, or threatens public order.
• Other Fundamental Rights: Fundamental rights such as Right to Equality (Article 14), Equality of Opportunities
(Article 16), Freedom of Conscience (Article 25) etc. also constitute important framework for Liberty.
Key Stakeholders
Stakeholders Roles/Interests Ethical Considerations
Individual • Primary beneficiary of liberty. • Not infringing on other individual’s liberty.
• Right to pursue personal freedom and • Ensuring actions do not violate public good.
dignified life. • Exercising freedom with social responsibility.
• Respecting social norms and moral values.
Society • Preserving order and harmony. • Establish reasonable limits on individual
• Safeguarding their collective interests like liberty and justified collective interest.
social customs and norms. • Protecting individual liberty.
Government • Upholding law and order. • Protecting individual liberty, ensuring justice
• Safeguarding individual liberty and and fairness.
maintain social order. • Keep checks and balances on arbitrary
• Maintaining national security. exercise of power.
Judiciary • Ensuring rule of law. • Upholding impartiality and fairness thus
• Promoting ideals of liberty and justice. ensuring individual rights.
• Preserve social interests and ensure public • Ensuring accountability of Government.
good.
Civil Society • Protecting and promoting liberties. • Work transparently and advocate for
• Ensuring social justice and raise freedoms without any ulterior motive.
awareness. • Avoiding conflict of interest in prioritizing
public good.
Ethical Issues associated with Liberty
• Liberty vs Security: Striking the right balance between protecting individual liberty and ensuring national
security is an ethical challenge.
o Laws like the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the National Security Act (NSA) have been criticized
for their misuse in curtailing individual liberties but are deemed necessary for national security.
o Recently, Supreme Court emphasized that depriving a person of their liberty, even for a single day, is a day
too many.
• Freedom of Speech vs Hate Speech: Rise of social media has led to an increase in hate speech and misinformation
but what exactly constitute hate speech is undefined in law.
o Thus, it is dependent upon the interpretation of implementing authorities resulting in curtailment of freedom
of speech in some cases while non-punishment to actual hate speeches in some other cases.
• Cultural traditions vs women’s rights: Women and Transgender often face restrictions, social stigma, and non-
realization of their fundamental rights due to patriarchal structure of society.
o Ethical challenge is navigating between respecting cultural traditions and advancing women’s rights and
freedom.
• Right to Privacy vs Surveillance: Supreme Court has declared the Right to Privacy as a fundamental right but there
are concerns on how data of citizens is collected, stored and used by government entities and private sector.
o Ethical dilemma for government is to ensure public safety and deliver good governance without violating
individual’s privacy.
• Economic Inequality vs Liberty: Liberty is often linked to economic freedom as it also means opportunity to
explore one’s full potential in an enabling society.
o However, economic inequality hinders that opportunity by limited access to quality education, healthcare, basic
infrastructure services like water, sanitation, and electricity etc.

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Conclusion
The concept of liberty is multidimensional, encompassing both personal autonomy and the ethical responsibility to
prevent harm to others. Supreme Court has consistently reinforced the idea that personal liberty is paramount.
Philosophically, John Stuart Mill’s harm principle offers a critical framework for understanding when and why liberty may
be legitimately restricted. Together, these perspectives remind us that liberty, while fundamental, must be balanced with
justice and fairness in any democratic society.
Check your Ethical Aptitude
As a district magistrate, you are approached by the police requesting approval to detain a prominent political activist
under preventive detention laws. The activist has been organizing large protests against certain government policies,
which the police argue could lead to unrest and disruption of public order. However, the activist has not been involved
in any violence, and the protests have been largely peaceful so far.
At the same time, the activist’s legal team submits a petition emphasizing their right to freedom of speech and
expression under Article 19 and personal liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution. They argue that any preventive
detention would be an unjust violation of these constitutional rights and that the protests are a legitimate expression
of public dissent in a democracy.
On the basis of the case study answer the following questions:
• What ethical principles will guide your decision-making process in this situation?
• Reflect on John Stuart Mill’s harm principle. Would the preventive detention of the activist be justified under this
principle? Why or why not?

9.4. PERSONALITY IN FOCUS: SHRI TULSI GOWDA (1944-2024)

Introduction
Recently, Shri Tulsi Gowda, an Indian environmentalist, breathed her last.
She was known as the "Encyclopedia of the Forest" and the "tree
goddess" because of her knowledge of the forest. Her legacy would
continue to act as a guiding light for environmental conservation inspiring
generations to protect our planet.
Brief about the life of Shri Tulsi Gowda
• Birth: Born in 1944, into a modest Halakki tribal family in Karnataka.
o In the traditions of Halakki Vokkaliga tribe, matriarchy is
connected deeply to nature.
• Early Life and Education: She did not receive a formal education and
lost her father at the age of 2.
• Accolades: Honoured with Padma Shri, country’s 4th highest civilian award, in 2021 by the Government of India.
o Also received Indira Priyadarshini Vriksha Mitra Award.

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Key contributions of Shri Tulsi Gowda
• Respecting Traditional Knowledge: Her approach to tree planting was deeply rooted in ecological principles,
emphasizing the importance of selecting native species that were well-suited to local conditions.
o She was also an expert in seed collection and germination techniques.
• Dedicated afforestation Efforts: Her environmental contributions are marked by her extraordinary achievement
of planting over 30,000 trees throughout her life.
• Reversing Environmental Destruction: Her deep commitment towards preserving and protecting forests can help
reverse the anthropogenic harm.
o Her efforts revitalized barren landscapes and restored ecological balance in Karnataka.
• Fostering Environmental Justice: Her inclination to educate local communities about the importance of
conserving the forest and its resources would ensure welfare of all.
• Promoting Ecofeminism: Her legacy highlights the contribution of women to environmental conservation not only
as agents of change but also for their economic empowerment.
• Collective Responsibility: By involving the community in her efforts to protect environment, she created a collective
sense of responsibility empowering individuals to take action.
Conclusion
The legacy of Shri Tulsi Gowda is that of inspiration and empowerment. She has showcased how community-led
initiatives can lead to significant ecological change. She has also exhibited the importance of developing a culture of
care and connectedness towards the environment.

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