Mains Practice Questions

Introduction

The ethics of care is a feminist approach to ethics that emphasizes the importance of response, relationships, and responsibilities. Developed by psychologist Carol Gilligan in the 1980s, it focuses on contextual sensitivity and caring relations rather than abstract rules and individual rights.

Body

Contrasting with Traditional Ethical Theories:

• Utilitarianism: Focuses on maximizing overall happiness or well-being for the greatest umber of people.
  • Ethics of Care: Emphasizes the quality of relationships and individual needs rather than aggregate outcomes.
  • Example: In a public health crisis, utilitarianism might justify sacrificing a few for the greater good, while the ethics of care would consider the specific relationships and contexts of those affected.
• Deontological Ethics: Emphasizes universal moral rules and duties (e.g., Kant's Categorical Imperative).
  • Ethics of Care: Prioritizes the particular context and relationships involved in a situation over universal principles.
  • Example: A deontological approach might always prioritize truth-telling, while an ethics of care approach might consider withholding information if it would protect a vulnerable individual in a specific context.

Significance in Public Administration:

• Personalized Approach: The ethics of care encourages public administrators to consider the unique circumstances of individuals and communities rather than applying one-size-fits-all policies.
  • Example: In social welfare programs, instead of having rigid eligibility criteria, administrators might be empowered to consider individual cases more holistically.
• Relationship-Building: It emphasizes the importance of building and maintaining positive relationships between government and citizens.
  • Example: A police department adopting community policing strategies that focus on building trust and understanding with local residents.
• Empathy and Emotional Intelligence: The ethics of care values empathy and emotional intelligence in decision-making processes.
  • Example: In disaster management, considering not just the physical needs of affected populations but also their emotional and psychological well-being.
• Contextual Decision-Making: It encourages administrators to consider the broader context and potential impacts of their decisions on various stakeholders.
  • Example: In urban planning, considering not just efficiency and cost, but also how changes might affect community bonds and local traditions.
• Focus on Marginalized Groups: The ethics of care often highlights the needs of traditionally marginalized or vulnerable groups.
  • Example: Designing public transportation systems with a focus on accessibility for elderly and disabled users, even if it's not the most cost-efficient option.
• Long-term Relationship Management: It encourages thinking about the long-term impacts of policies on social relationships and community structures.
  • Example: In education policy, considering not just test scores but also how school programs affect family dynamics and community involvement.

Conclusion

The ethics of care provides a valuable complement to traditional ethical frameworks in public administration. By emphasizing relationships, context, and responsiveness, it can lead to more humane and effective governance. However, it's important to balance this approach with other ethical considerations to ensure fairness and efficiency in public service delivery