This insightful textbook explores the use and application of ethics in contemporary governance and suggests necessary reforms
Discussions on administrative ethics need an interdisciplinary approach involving the fields of political science, law, economics, sociology, management and philosophy. Combining the perspectives from these fields, this textbook analyses their applicability and usefulness in everyday practices in governance, covering its five cardinal virtues--prudence, transparency, discourse, justice and accountability.
The textbook highlights ethical challenges in aspects of status recognition, oppression, empowerment, social care, public financing, environment protection and others in today's interconnected world. It delves into the dynamics of administrative power in democracies and showcases how the misuse of power can be controlled through a discourse of ethics in law and governance.
Key Features:
- Practical insights and examples from around the world to connect the younger generation with the role of ethics in administration and governance
- Plethora of teaching-learning tools such as illustrative case studies, notes on administrative thinkers, glossary of key concepts and select reading list
- Chapters aided by study questions for self-assessment, appendices on key documents used in governance ethics and a list of landmark instances in administrative history
Rajan, Amitabh: - Dr Amitabh Rajan is a retired Indian Administrative Service officer of Maharashtra cadre, who, during the past four decades, has led large organizations (namely institutions of foreign trade, financial services, power sector regulation, public investment, internal security and vigilance). He was the Home Secretary to the Government of Maharashtra for three years, District Magistrate for five years and served at the highest policy levels in the union ministries of finance, personnel and social justice for several years. He was also Chairman and Managing Director of a national development finance corporation for five years and an Independent Director in the Board of the State Trading Corporation for three years. Besides being the Chairman of the Reserve Bank of India Services Board, Dr Rajan is also a member of the State Bank of India's independent committee on stressed assets.
He is the recipient of several awards, including the Government of India Award for Excellence in the Achievement of MOU Targets from the President of India (2003), Indian Institute of Public Administration Award for Best Article in the Indian Journal of Public Administration from the Vice-President of India (2018), SCOPE Meritorious Award for Best Managed Public Sector Enterprise from the Prime Minister of India (2008) and Institute of Chartered Accountants of India Award for Excellence in financial reporting from the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir (2005).
He received his PhD in sociological jurisprudence, which was published as a book, and has taught at two central universities. He has also authored seminal articles on the jurisprudence of children's rights and on the evolution of information rights jurisprudence, published simultaneously in the Indian Journal of Public Administration and the All India Reporter. Other publications cover topics relating to regulation theory, post-2008 financial technology, institutional dynamics of governance reform, institutional politics of anti-corruption and critique of the neoliberal public management approach.
Dr Rajan has represented India in various international venues including the Ministerial Conference of the Paris Pact, where he led the Indian delegation in the absence of the Union Finance Minister. He also led the Indian delegation at the SAARC Technical Committees in Pakistan and Bangladesh. He has held memberships in the council of administration, International Institute of Administrative Sciences, Brussels, and the governing council of the Asian Group for Public Administration, Beijing. He currently holds the position of the President of the International Chamber of Professional Education and Industry.
Dr Rajan is now settled in Delhi and occupies himself with intellectual pursuits in the exploration of the ongoing paradigm shifts in finance, technology and society. He has authored several research papers and is frequently invited to give talks on these topics. He also serves on various advisory boards, editorial boards, research councils and governing councils.
