Daily Answer Writing GS 3 (Aptitude and Foundational Values for Civil Service)

Subject: GS 4

Syllabus: Aptitude and Foundational Values for Civil Service

Questions

1. Enumerate the foundational values for civil services and explain why they are called foundational? (150 Words, 10 Marks)
2. What do you understand about the capability approach of Amartya Sen? How does it differ from John Rawls's theory of social justice? Examine. (250 words, 15 Marks) 

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Model Structures

Q1. Enumerate the foundational values for civil services and explain why they are called foundational? (150 words)

Introduction

• Civil services were called a steel frame of governance by India’s first Home minister Mr Sardar Patel. For societal development, civil services they are pivotal as they have responsibilities of decision making as well as policy implementation.

Main body

• Foundational values for civil services - 
  • Integrity: It empowers any person to make a judgment about right or wrong because it is value-driven.
  • Impartiality: Actions of a bureaucrat towards the public has to be merit based which result in fair, equitable and efficient decisions.
  • Non-partisanship: It means that a non-partisan civil servant is responsible to the constitution and law of the land. The officer executes his task without fear or favour.
  • Dedication: It means devotion to duty for work full of purpose and action. It results in continuous actions even when motivation is missing.
  • Compassion and tolerance towards the weaker and marginalized: Service before self requires humanistic attitude and smartness to interpret the rules objectively to advance the public interest.
  • Objectivity: It means that truth remains true universally irrespective of mindset and ideology.
• These values are important because - 
  • Upholding these values means gaps of trust deficit between citizens and government are bridged.
  • They ensure honest and efficient civil servants which is essential for a developing country.
  • They ensure that rule of law is maintained and law of land is held supreme.
  • They serve as guiding light for civil servants who have got discretionary powers in certain matters.

 Conclusion

• These foundational values are like the foundation of a bedrock which helps achieve social, political and economic justice.

Q2. What do you understand about the capability approach of Amartya Sen? How does it differ from John Rawls's theory of social justice? Examine. (250 words)

Introduction

• The Capability Approach was first articulated by the Indian economist and philosopher Amartya Sen in the 1980s. It is defined by its choice of focus upon the moral significance of individuals’ capability of achieving the kind of lives they have reason to value. 
• A person’s capability to live a good life is defined in terms of the set of valuable ‘beings and doings’ like being in good health or having loving relationships with others to which they have real access.

Differences with John Rawl’s -

1. According to Sen, there is excessive emphasis on liberty in Rawl’s theory of justice. Sen argues that hunger, starvation, medical neglect and other such issues should be given more importance than personal liberty as an important aspect of justice.
2. In the difference principle, Rawls judges the opportunities that people have through the means they possess. It means those who have access to primary goods can easily access the opportunities while Sen argues that an access to only primary goods will not enhance the capabilities of people so that they can get access to the available opportunities. For example - a differently abled person can do far less with the same level of primary goods and income than the able-bodied human being.
3. Contractualist approach of Rawls theory of justice - Rawls develops his approach as a contrast to utilitarian understanding of justice but for Sen, the “Theory of justice” provides transcendental solutions and is more conscious of the demands of institutions and rules. It completely ignores the fact that what kind of role these theories are playing in the social realization and formulations of these principles, or whether these theories are concerned with the voices of those who are not part of the contract.
4. Rawls theories of justice lack global perspectives. According to Sen in the era of globalization, things are related. For example, the US led attack on Iraq has impacted the whole world. It has also impacted the world’s point of view on terrorism.

Conclusion

• The well-being of people depends upon many things other than increased income or resources. All such things are sidelined when an economic measure like the GDP is taken to indicate development. The basic objective of development should be to create an enabling environment for people to live long, healthy, and creative lives. Capability approach of Amartya Sen provides this perspective.

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