Q. Besides domain knowledge, a public official needs innovativeness and creativity of a high order as well, while resolving ethical dilemmas. Discuss with suitable example.
Question from UPSC Mains 2021 GS4 Paper
Model Answer:
Innovativeness and Creativity in Resolving Ethical Dilemmas for Public Officials
Public officials play a crucial role in governance, requiring not only domain knowledge but also innovativeness and creativity, especially when resolving ethical dilemmas. While expertise in their field is essential, the ability to think outside the box and generate novel solutions is equally important in today’s complex and rapidly changing world.
Innovativeness and creativity are vital for public officials because they:
• Enable adaptation to evolving challenges (e.g., digital governance initiatives)
• Foster the development of efficient and effective solutions (e.g., streamlining bureaucratic processes)
• Promote resource optimization in constrained environments (e.g., innovative waste management systems)
When facing ethical dilemmas, these qualities become even more critical. Ethical challenges in public service often involve conflicting interests, competing values, and complex stakeholder dynamics. Innovative and creative approaches can help officials:
• Identify unconventional solutions that balance diverse needs
• Develop compromise strategies that satisfy multiple parties
• Reframe problems to uncover new perspectives and possibilities
Consider the following example:
A city planner faces an ethical dilemma when tasked with developing an urban renewal project. The plan would improve infrastructure and boost the local economy, but it requires displacing a long-standing low-income community. Using innovativeness and creativity, the planner:
1. Engages in extensive community consultation to understand residents’ needs
2. Develops a phased relocation plan that minimizes disruption
3. Designs mixed-income housing within the renewal area
4. Creates a job training program for affected residents
5. Establishes a community-led oversight committee for the project
This innovative approach addresses the ethical concerns by balancing development needs with community welfare, demonstrating how creativity can lead to more equitable and sustainable solutions.
Conclusion: Innovativeness and creativity, combined with domain expertise, empower public officials to navigate complex ethical dilemmas and deliver effective, responsible governance.