Current Public Administration Magazine (FEBRUARY 2024)

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION Online Course

Sample Material of Current Public Administration Magazine

(FEBRUARY 2024)

1.Accountability & Responsibility

Civil Services Accountability and Control

Civil Services Accountability is the concept and practice of holding civil servants responsible for their actions and decisions, in accordance with the laws, rules, and values of the society. Civil servants are public officials who work for the government and perform various functions, such as policy making, administration, regulation, service delivery, etc. Civil servants are expected to act in the public interest, and to uphold the principles of integrity, impartiality, efficiency, and professionalism.

Civil servants are accountable to various stakeholders, such as the political executive, the legislature, the judiciary, the media, the civil society, and the citizens. Different mechanisms and institutions are used to ensure and enforce civil services accountability, such as:

Internal accountability: This refers to the accountability within the civil service hierarchy, where the senior civil servants supervise and monitor the performance and conduct of the junior civil servants, and take corrective or disciplinary actions if needed. This also includes the internal audits, inspections, and reviews that are conducted by the civil service departments or agencies.
External accountability: This refers to the accountability to the external authorities or actors, who have the power or influence to oversee, question, or sanction the civil service actions and decisions. This includes the followinghttps://www.clearias.com/accountability/:
Political accountability: This is the accountability to the political executive, such as the President, the Prime Minister, the Ministers, etc., who are elected by the people and have the authority to appoint, transfer, or dismiss the civil servants. The political executive can also issue directions, policies, or orders to the civil servants, and hold them responsible for the implementation and outcomes.
Legislative accountability: This is the accountability to the legislature, such as the Parliament or the State Assemblies, who represent the people and have the power to enact laws, approve budgets, and conduct inquiries. The legislature can also scrutinize, question, or criticize the civil service actions and decisions, and demand explanations, reports, or evidence from the civil servants.
Judicial accountability: This is the accountability to the judiciary, such as the Supreme Court, the High Courts, or the lower courts, who interpret and uphold the Constitution and the laws, and protect the rights and interests of the people. The judiciary can also review, challenge, or overturn the civil service actions and decisions, and impose penalties, remedies, or injunctions on the civil servants.

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2. Indian Government and Politics

Administrative Ethics

Administrative Ethics is the concept and practice of holding civil servants responsible for their actions and decisions, in accordance with the laws, rules, and values of the society. Civil servants are public officials who work for the government and perform various functions, such as policy making, administration, regulation, service delivery, etc. Civil servants are expected to act in the public interest, and to uphold the principles of integrity, impartiality, efficiency, and professionalism.

Some of the components of administrative ethics are:

Integrity: This means being honest, truthful, and consistent in one's actions and decisions, and avoiding any conflict of interest or corruption.
Honesty: This means being truthful, sincere, and transparent in one's actions and decisions, and not concealing or misrepresenting any facts or information.
Devotion to the duty: This means being committed, diligent, and loyal to one's work and responsibilities, and not neglecting or shirking them.
Sense of public good: This means being motivated by the welfare and interests of the society and the nation, and not by personal or partisan interests.
Efficiency: This means being competent, productive, and effective in one's actions and decisions, and using the public resources wisely and optimally.
Non-partisan attitude: This means being impartial, objective, and neutral in one's actions and decisions, and not being influenced or biased by any political party or ideology.
Humility: This means being modest, respectful, and courteous in one's actions and decisions, and not being arrogant or rude.
Loyalty to the nation: This means being faithful, patriotic, and devoted to the nation and its constitution, and not betraying or harming it.
Non-corruptness: This means being free from any bribery, nepotism, favoritism, or misuse of power or authority, and not accepting or offering any undue benefits or advantages.
Fairness: This means being just, equitable, and reasonable in one's actions and decisions, and not discriminating or favoring any person or group.

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3. Social Administration

Privilege Blindness

Privilege blindness is the inability or unwillingness to recognize the advantages or benefits that one has due to one's social identity, such as race, gender, class, etc. Privilege blindness can prevent people from acknowledging or addressing the inequalities or injustices that exist in society, and can also make them insensitive or defensive towards the experiences or perspectives of others who are less privileged.

Some of the possible causes and effects of privilege blindness are:

Privilege blindness can be caused by various factors, such as:

Lack of awareness or education: People may not be aware of the history, context, or extent of the oppression or discrimination that affects certain groups or individuals, or of the ways that their own privilege shapes their opportunities and outcomes.
Cognitive dissonance or bias: People may experience a psychological discomfort or conflict when they encounter information or evidence that contradicts their beliefs or assumptions about themselves or others, or that challenges their sense of merit or fairness. They may also have a tendency to favor or confirm their own views or experiences, and to ignore or dismiss those that are different or unfavorable.
Fear or guilt: People may feel threatened or ashamed by the idea of losing or sharing their privilege, or of being complicit or responsible for the suffering or injustice of others. They may also fear the backlash or criticism that may come from speaking up or taking action against the status quo .

Privilege blindness can have negative consequences for both the privileged and the oppressed, such as:

Perpetuating or worsening the inequality or injustice: Privilege blindness can prevent people from recognizing or addressing the root causes or systemic factors that create and maintain the disparity or discrimination between different groups or individuals. It can also enable or justify the continuation or expansion of the policies or practices that favor or harm certain groups or individuals .

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4. Current Topics

Education: panacea for all evil

Education is the process of acquiring knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes that enable one to develop one's potential and contribute to society. Panacea is a remedy or solution that can cure or prevent all problems or evils. In this essay, I will argue that education is indeed a panacea for all evil, as it can address the root causes and consequences of various social, economic, and political ills, and promote the well-being and progress of humanity.

One of the ways that education can be a panacea for all evil is by reducing poverty and inequality. Poverty and inequality are some of the major causes and effects of many social problems, such as hunger, disease, crime, violence, etc. Education can help people escape poverty and inequality by providing them with the opportunities and resources to access and benefit from the labor market, the economy, and the society. Education can also empower people to demand and exercise their rights, and to participate and influence the decision-making processes that affect their lives. Education can also foster a sense of solidarity and responsibility among people, and encourage them to share and redistribute their wealth and resources with those who are less fortunate.

Another way that education can be a panacea for all evil is by enhancing peace and democracy. Peace and democracy are some of the essential conditions and values for the survival and development of humanity. Education can help promote peace and democracy by teaching people the skills and attitudes that are necessary for resolving conflicts, respecting diversity, and cooperating with others. Education can also help people understand and appreciate the history, culture, and values of different groups and nations, and to recognize and reject the ideologies and practices that promote hatred, violence, or oppression. Education can also help people develop critical thinking and civic awareness, and to engage and contribute to the public affairs and the common good.

A third way that education can be a panacea for all evil is by fostering innovation and sustainability. Innovation and sustainability are some of the key challenges and opportunities for the future of humanity. Education can help stimulate innovation and sustainability by inspiring and enabling people to discover and create new knowledge, technologies, or solutions that can address the problems or needs of the society and the environment. Education can also help people adopt and apply the principles and practices of sustainability, such as conservation, efficiency, or responsibility, and to balance the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of development.

In conclusion, education is a panacea for all evil, as it can tackle the root causes and consequences of various social, economic, and political ills, and promote the well-being and progress of humanity. Education can reduce poverty and inequality, enhance peace and democracy, and foster innovation and sustainability. Therefore, it is imperative that we invest and support education for all, and ensure that everyone has access to quality and relevant education that can empower them to fulfill their potential and contribute to society.

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5. Indian Administration

UPSC is over hyped

The UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) is the central agency that conducts various examinations for civil services in India, such as the IAS (Indian Administrative Service), IPS (Indian Police Service), IFS (Indian Foreign Service), and others. These exams are considered to be very prestigious and challenging, attracting millions of aspirants every year.

However, some people may think that the UPSC is overhyped, meaning that it is given more importance or attention than it deserves. There could be various reasons for this opinion, such as:

• The UPSC preparation is very demanding and stressful, requiring a lot of time, effort, and resources. It may also affect the mental and physical health of the candidates, as well as their personal and professional lives.
• The UPSC syllabus is very vast and dynamic, covering a wide range of topics from history, geography, polity, economy, science, current affairs, and more. It may not be possible or necessary to master all the subjects, and some of them may not be relevant or interesting to the candidates.
• The UPSC exam is very competitive and unpredictable, with a low success rate and high uncertainty. Only a small fraction of the applicants make it to the final selection, and many of them have to attempt multiple times. The exam pattern and difficulty level may also vary from year to year, making it hard to prepare or strategize.
• The UPSC career is not as glamorous or rewarding as it may seem. The civil servants have to face many challenges and pressures in their work, such as political interference, corruption, bureaucracy, public expectations, and security threats. They may also have to sacrifice their personal preferences, such as location, family, or hobbies.

These are some of the possible arguments that could support the view that the UPSC is overhyped. However, this does not mean that the UPSC is not worth pursuing or respecting. There are also many benefits and advantages of the UPSC, such as: