Role of Civil Services in a democracy

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<–2/”>a >Values are the standards on which, we evaluate things. For every situation we don’t have time to ‘test’ the case on ethics theories such as utilitarianism. Values provide time saving short-cut in such situation.

Under New public management (NPM), the concept of public Services is fast changing. Bureaucrat has become directly accountable to citizen-customer. He has to respond to moral universe of the citizens. He has discretionary powers, therefore he must be provided with guiding principles to prevent abuse of power. The Foundational Values provide these guiding principles.

Some important Foundational values for civil services are as follows:

  • Neutrality
  • Anonymity
  • Commitment and Dedication to Public Service
  • Civil Activism
  • Important Commandment for Civil Servants
  • Civil Services Accountability
  • Ethical Conduct of a Civil Servant
  • Responsibility
  • Courage
  • Discipline
  • Integrity
  • Humility
  • Impartiality

Neutrality

Neutrality is the tendency of not to side in a conflict (physical or ideological), which may not suggest neutral parties do not have a side or are not a side themselves. In colloquial use neutral can be synonymous with unbiased. However, bias is a favoritism for some side,distinct of the tendency to act on that favoritism.  Neutrality is distinct (though not exclusive) from apathy, ignorance, indifference, doublethink, Equality, agreement, and Objectivity. Objectivity suggests siding with the more reasonable position (except journalistic objectivity), where reasonableness is judged by some common basis between the sides, such as logic (thereby avoiding the problem of incommensurability). Neutrality implies Tolerance regardless of how disagreeable, deplorable, or unusual a perspective might be.Advocating neutrality is non-neutral.

Sardar Patel had made the following observations in the Constituent Assembly to support the continuance of the pre-independence civil service structure:

“It needs hardly to be emphasized that an effi cient, discipline and contended civil service assured of its prospects as a result of diligent and honest work, is a sine-quanon of Sound administration under democratic regime even more than under an authoritarian rule. Th e service must be above party and we should ensure that political considerations, either in its recruitment or in its discipline and control, are reduced to the minimum if not eliminated altogether.”

Unfortunately, this vision of civil service neutrality no longer holds good. Changes in governments particularly at the state level often lead to wholesale transfer of civil servants. Political neutrality is no longer the accepted norm with many civil servants getting identifi ed, rightly or wrongly, with a particular political dispensation. Th ere is a perception that offi cers have to cultivate and seek patronage from politicians for obtaining suitable positions even in the Union Government. As a result, the civil services in public perception are often seen as increasingly politicized.

As observed by Paul Appleby civil servants should not confuse ‘political neutrality’ with ‘programme neutrality’. At the stage of policy formulation, the role of civil servants is to render free and frank advice which should not be coloured by any political considerations. Once a policy or programme has been approved by the elected government, it is the duty of the civil servant to faithfully and enthusiastically see to its implementation. Not carrying out this task in the right spirit would amount to misconduct inviting appropriate sanctions.

 

Anonymity

The anonymity of the civil service is linked to two concepts: permanence and neutrality. Civil servants, many of whom remain in their jobs whilst serving numerous governments, are thus likely to have to give advice to governments of different Political Parties, who may have different attitudes to policy. The advice they give needs to be given to ministers both freely and also without fear of adverse public or political reactions and without fear of future career damage. This is tied into the concept of ministerial responsibility, whereby the convention is for the minister to accept responsibility for their actions and decisions and those of their departments.

 

Commitment and dedication to public service

Dedication means quality of involving oneself completely or applying one’s attention, time to a particular activity, cause or a person. Dedication in public service is required as civil servants in India, a developing country need to perform the regular administrative and also play an important role in socio-Economic Development of the nation. In carrying out these activities he may be faced with several obstructions like social opposition against any programme which is against their deep rooted belief, lack of support from political executive. Schemes for promoting family planning are generally opposed in rural as they consider contraceptives as taboos here dedication is required to fulfil the goal of healthy Society. One’s employees and superiors may be involved in Corruption. These obstacles can only be overcome when one has perseverance and dedication.

Integrity

Integrity is the fundamental moral concept in civil services. It is an important basis of ethical behaviour and ethical competency. It is associated with the value of being honest and maintain strong moral principles. Integrity includes financial integrity, professional integrity and intellectual integrity. Ethics and integrity are closely related. An ethical person having strong moral values is bound to be a man of integrity. Those people who have experience of working in the government know that integrity is evaluated every year through their Annual Performance Report. The assessment takes place on the basis of decisions/performance of the individual Civil Servants throughout the year. In conducting interview for testing Personality of the candidates, the board carefully observes the approach of the answer of individual candidate while assessing their integrity. In written examination, the examiner will obviously look into moral stand of the candidates especially on issues and conflicts faced by them while dealing with various glitches.,

The role of civil services in a Democracy is to provide a professional, impartial, and efficient public service that is responsive to the needs of the people. Civil servants are responsible for carrying out the policies of the government, delivering essential services, and upholding the Rule of Law. They play a vital role in ensuring that the government is accountable to the people and that the public interest is served.

The history of civil services can be traced back to the ancient world, when governments began to employ professional administrators to carry out their functions. The first civil services were established in China and Egypt in the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC, respectively. These early civil services were relatively small and were staffed by a select group of individuals who were chosen for their skills and abilities.

In the Middle Ages, civil services began to develop in Europe. These civil services were larger than their ancient counterparts and were staffed by a more diverse group of individuals. The functions of these civil services were also more complex, as they were responsible for a wider range of tasks, such as collecting taxes, maintaining law and order, and providing public services.

The modern civil service system emerged in the 18th and 19th centuries. This system was based on the principle of meritocracy, which holds that individuals should be appointed to positions based on their skills and abilities, rather than their social status or connections. The modern civil service system is also characterized by its emphasis on professionalism, impartiality, and efficiency.

The structure of civil services varies from country to country. In some countries, such as the United States, the civil service is organized into a single, unified system. In other countries, such as the United Kingdom, the civil service is divided into a number of different departments and agencies.

The functions of civil services also vary from country to country. However, there are some common functions that are performed by civil services in all countries. These functions include:

  • Policy implementation: Civil servants are responsible for carrying out the policies of the government. This includes drafting legislation, developing regulations, and administering programs.
  • Service delivery: Civil servants are responsible for delivering essential services to the public. These services include Education, healthcare, transportation, and law enforcement.
  • Rule of law: Civil servants are responsible for upholding the rule of law. This includes enforcing laws, investigating crimes, and prosecuting offenders.

The recruitment and training of civil servants is also a critical function of civil services. Civil servants must be selected based on their skills and abilities, and they must be trained to carry out their duties effectively. The recruitment and training of civil servants is typically carried out by a central government agency, such as the Civil Service Commission in the United States.

The ethics of civil servants is another important issue. Civil servants must act in a way that is ethical and impartial. They must avoid conflicts of interest and must always put the public interest first. The ethics of civil servants is typically governed by a Code Of Conduct, which is developed by the government and enforced by the civil service commission.

The accountability of civil servants is also important. Civil servants must be accountable to the government, to the public, and to the law. They must be able to explain their decisions and actions, and they must be prepared to be held accountable for their mistakes. The accountability of civil servants is typically ensured through a system of performance reviews, audits, and investigations.

Civil services face a number of challenges in the 21st century. These challenges include:

  • The increasing complexity of government: The role of government has become increasingly complex in recent years. This has led to an increase in the size and scope of civil services.
  • The changing nature of work: The nature of work is changing, and this is having an impact on civil services. Civil servants are increasingly being required to use new technologies and to work in new ways.
  • The need for greater efficiency: Civil services are under pressure to become more efficient. This is due to a number of factors, such as the increasing cost of government and the need to reduce the deficit.
  • The need for greater transparency: Civil services are under pressure to become more transparent. This is due to a number of factors, such as the increasing demand for accountability and the need to build public trust.

The future of civil services is uncertain. However, it is likely that civil services will continue to play an important role in democracies. Civil services will need to adapt to the challenges of the 21st century, but they will still be essential to the delivery of essential services and the upholding of the rule of law.

What is the role of civil services in a democracy?

The civil service is the body of non-elected public officials who run a government. They are responsible for implementing the policies of the elected government, and for providing essential services to the public.

The civil service is a vital part of a democracy. It ensures that the government is run efficiently and effectively, and that the rights of the people are protected.

What are the different types of civil services?

There are many different types of civil services, depending on the country and the level of government. Some common types of civil services include:

  • National civil services: These are the civil services that are responsible for running the national government. They typically include departments such as the treasury, the foreign ministry, and the interior ministry.
  • State Civil Services: These are the civil services that are responsible for running the state or provincial governments. They typically include departments such as the education department, the Health department, and the transport department.
  • Local civil services: These are the civil services that are responsible for running the Local Government. They typically include departments such as the city council, the county council, and the district council.

What are the qualifications for a civil service job?

The qualifications for a civil service job vary depending on the country and the type of job. However, some common qualifications include:

  • A university degree: Most civil service jobs require a university degree in a relevant subject.
  • A certain level of experience: Some civil service jobs require a certain level of experience in a relevant field.
  • A certain level of knowledge: Most civil service jobs require a certain level of knowledge in the areas of law, policy, and administration.
  • A certain level of skills: Most civil service jobs require a certain level of skills in areas such as Communication, problem-solving, and decision-making.

What are the benefits of working in the civil service?

There are many benefits to working in the civil service. Some of the most common benefits include:

  • Job security: Civil service jobs are typically very secure. Once you are in a civil service job, it is very difficult to be fired.
  • Good pay and benefits: Civil service jobs typically pay well and offer good benefits, such as health insurance, retirement benefits, and paid vacation.
  • Opportunities for advancement: There are many opportunities for advancement in the civil service. If you are a good employee, you can move up the ranks and earn a higher salary and more responsibility.
  • Sense of purpose: Many people find that working in the civil service gives them a sense of purpose. They know that they are making a difference in the lives of others.

What are the challenges of working in the civil service?

There are also some challenges to working in the civil service. Some of the most common challenges include:

  • Bureaucracy: The civil service can be very bureaucratic. This can make it difficult to get things done, as there are often many rules and regulations that need to be followed.
  • Low morale: Morale in the civil service can be low. This is often due to low pay, poor working conditions, and a lack of recognition for good work.
  • Political interference: The civil service is often subject to political interference. This can make it difficult to do your job effectively, as you may be pressured to make decisions that are not in the best interests of the public.

What is the future of the civil service?

The future of the civil service is uncertain. There are a number of challenges facing the civil service, such as budget cuts, technological change, and the rise of the gig economy. These challenges could lead to a reduction in the size of the civil service, or to changes in the way that the civil service operates.

However, the civil service is still an important part of many democracies. It is likely that the civil service will continue to play a role in the delivery of public services, even in the face of these challenges.

  1. The civil service is a body of government employees who are responsible for carrying out the day-to-day operations of the government.
  2. The civil service is typically organized into a hierarchy, with the most senior officials at the top and the most junior officials at the bottom.
  3. The civil service is responsible for a wide range of functions, including providing public services, enforcing laws, and collecting taxes.
  4. The civil service is typically appointed by the government, and its members are expected to be impartial and non-partisan.
  5. The civil service is an important part of a democracy, as it helps to ensure that the government is run efficiently and effectively.

Here are some MCQs about the civil service:

  1. Which of the following is not a function of the civil service?
    (A) Providing public services
    (B) Enforcing laws
    (C) Collecting taxes
    (D) Running the government

  2. The civil service is typically organized into a:
    (A) Pyramid
    (B) Hierarchy
    (C) Circle
    (D) Square

  3. The civil service is typically appointed by the:
    (A) President
    (B) Prime Minister
    (C) Parliament
    (D) King or Queen

  4. Members of the civil service are expected to be:
    (A) Impartial
    (B) Non-partisan
    (C) Both impartial and non-partisan
    (D) Neither impartial nor non-partisan

  5. The civil service is an important part of a:
    (A) Democracy
    (B) Dictatorship
    (C) Monarchy
    (D) Theocracy