{"id":1825,"date":"2024-11-07T09:21:55","date_gmt":"2024-11-07T09:21:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iasquest.com\/?p=1825"},"modified":"2026-02-11T19:02:21","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T19:02:21","slug":"gs-4contributions-of-moral-thinkers-and-philosophers-from-india-and-world-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/gs-4contributions-of-moral-thinkers-and-philosophers-from-india-and-world-2\/","title":{"rendered":"GS-4:Contributions of Moral Thinkers and Philosophers from India and World."},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In News:FIR against Kumaraswamy, son for threatening IPS officer<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1.What do the following quotation convey to you in the present context?
\u201cPower tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely\u201d-Lord Acton<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lord Acton’s quote serves as a warning about the dangers of unchecked power and the potential for abuse when individuals or institutions hold excessive authority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Corruption of authority<\/strong>
    \u25cf Power often leads to moral degradation. For example, leaders who start with good intentions may engage in unethical practices, as seen in various political scandals.
    \u25cf The Commonwealth Games scam (2010) involved significant financial mismanagement among high-ranking officials.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Need for checks and balances<\/strong>
    \u25cf Institutional checks are essential to prevent corruption. For instance, the Indian Constitution establishes a system of checks and balances among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Historical relevance<\/strong>
    \u25cf Throughout history, absolute power has led to tyranny. Examples include dictators like Adolf Hitler and Joseph Stalin, whose regimes resulted in widespread oppression.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Psychological dynamics<\/strong>
    \u25cf Research shows that power can impair ethical judgement. For instance, Politicians with criminal backgrounds often secure electoral victories, indicating a disconnect between power and ethics.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Caution against absolutism<\/strong>
    \u25cf Absolute power can lead to significant societal harm. The rise of authoritarian regimes during crises, such as the consolidation of power by leaders during the COVID-19 pandemic, illustrates this danger.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Erosion of democratic norms<\/strong>
    \u25cf Concentration of power can erode democratic institutions. In countries like Venezuela, the government has undermined electoral processes to maintain control.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  7. Abuse of power in corporations<\/strong>
    \u25cf Corporate leaders can also fall victim to corruption. The Satyam scandal (2009) involved falsified accounts by the chairman, leading to significant financial losses.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  8. Public disillusionment<\/strong>
    \u25cf Corruption breeds public distrust in institutions. For example, corruption in educational systems, such as the NEET exam paper leak, has led to public outrage and mistrust.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    To mitigate the corrupting influence of power, it is crucial to establish strong checks and balances, promote transparency and accountability, and empower citizens to hold those in power responsible for their actions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    PYQ<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    1. Nearly all men can withstand adversity, but if you want to test a man\u2019s character, give him power.\u2014Abraham Lincoln 2013<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. There is a heavy ethical responsibility on the public servants because they occupy positions of power, handle huge amounts of public funds, and their decisions have wide-ranging impact on society and environment. What steps have you taken to improve your ethical competence to handle such responsibility?2014<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      Source:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/karnataka\/fir-against-hd-kumaraswamy-son-and-jds-leader-for-threatening-senior-ips-officer-of-karnataka\/article68831567.ece<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n