UPSC Mains 2018 GS4 Q5 — Ethical Dilemmas
(a) Suppose the Government of India is thinking of constructing a dam in a mountain valley bound by forests and inhabited by ethnic communities. What rational policy should it resort to in dealing with unforeseen contingencies ? (150 words) (b) Explain the process of resolving ethical dilemmas in Public Administration. (150 words)
Question Decoded — examiner's intent
- Directive verbs
- SupposeExplain
- Scope keywords
- mountain valley bound by forestsethnic communitiesrational policyunforeseen contingenciesresolving ethical dilemmasPublic Administration
- Implicit sub-parts
- The inherent conflict between developmental imperatives and environmental/tribal conservation.
- Proactive risk-mitigation strategies and 'Rational Choice' framework for unpredictable crises.
- The step-by-step mechanism of ethical reasoning (fact finding, value identification, law vs. conscience).
- Institutional vs. Individual tools for resolving dilemmas in a bureaucratic setup.
- Common pitfalls
- Focusing only on rehabilitation (R&R) in part (a) while ignoring the 'unforeseen contingencies' aspect like natural disasters or cultural backlash.
- Treating part (b) as a theoretical essay on ethics rather than a 'process-oriented' guide for a Public Administrator.
- Failing to mention the Forest Rights Act (FRA) or PESA as the 'rational policy' framework for the dam scenario.
- Using generic examples of dilemmas (like 'honesty') instead of professional dilemmas (like 'efficiency vs. equity').
- Dimensions required
- Ethical (Utilitarianism vs. Deontology)Environmental (Sustainable Development)Sociological (Ethnic identity and displacement)Legal-Administrative (Constitutional safeguards and Rule of Law)
- Marks allocation hint
For 10 marks (5+5), spend 75 words on part (a) focusing on a 'Precautionary Principle' framework for contingencies. Spend the remaining 75 words on part (b) by providing a crisp 4-5 step algorithmic process for ethical resolution, such as the 'Nolan Principles' or 'Constitutional Morality' filter.
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