This was part of a discussion in which I participated at a different place. But since what I learned from it is very relevant I would like to share it with my readers here.
The topic of discussion here is about good behaviour, morals, ethics and social work being a part of the course curriculum. But is that enough? The applications in real life is what our society is more concerned with. I need not cite the umpteen number of cases over the last two decades for which we are globally a reference point for corrruption. It is high time we do something about it. Here is wishing the Lokpal Bill the success it so badly needs.
I am trying to add my two cents to what is being discussed by our fellow members here who seem to be interested in ethics. India happens to the 87th most corrupt country globally and 16th in Asia in 2010. Our close follower is Sri Lanka (91/17), You may be surprised to know that Bhutan is away ahead of us at (36/7).
I do not agree with one member on a number of points. Education is business is accepted. But what has that got to do with not studying business ethics and corporate governance as part of the MBA course curriculum?
The objective of education cannot be to get good marks and ultimately a good job.
He sems to be having a one-dimensional approach to management education in whcih theories, techniques and tenets happen to be a small part.
A few practial suggestions to weed out corruption or making an honest attempt to do so in India is welcome. We elect criminals, mostly school drop outs, crooks and thieves to run our country. The educated Gen X and Gen Y are least bothered to do anything in that regard. We are to blame for all this. Education happens to be a big parameter in society to stop corruption. And add patriotism to it. Are we really educated and do we really love our country? The answer is a big no.
I also did not agree with another member who did her schooling in India but is living in Canada for the last twenty years. It has been my experience throughout my life that Indians who live abroad in developed countries are too concerned about us and our welfare. They go all out to prove their patriotism at the drop of a hat. I always wonder what prevented them from staying back and doing whatever they preach now. And the answer is the same. Their attraction for the greenback.
I am not aware how much she knows about governance in India. This place does not give me the space to reinforce what I have already said with facts which are always stranger than fiction and fanstasy. Nevertheless let me make an attempt.
The major sections of governance, namely the political administrators, the legislature, the judiciary, the civil services, and the civil society have to take the blame for many of the ills of society and the unfulfilled promises that we made to ourselves in November 1949 when we adopted the Constitution.
A common refrain, particularly when the people take a critical look at the state of affairs in the country, has been that the quality of governance needs much to be desired. Those in the government, continue to feel that they are doing a fine job and nothing could be better. The citizen clearly feels otherwise. This mismatch in the perceptions of the people and the government is reflected in the credibility gap which exists between the citizen and the government.
The latest literacy levels indicate that we still have over 350 million illiterates in India. This number is larger than the total population of any other country in the world except China. Illiteracy causes many ills and it generates its own problems.
I would like to know the number of "well educated people" in our country and how you define them. Also how would you let these "amazing people" into positions of influence and into power so they can "use their power for good". I really don't care about what is happening in Canada where you live or any other part of the world. But I do care for my country.
To understand why management education is big business in India you need to know the income tax provisions generously applicable to educational institutions in India.
What is that something better which will weed out corruption other than punitive measures? I have still not spelt out any measure but nevertheless curious to know.
How many of the 350 million illiterates in India can study at the places you have referred to?
Yes many of us are patriotic. But still how many? The population of India is almost equal to the combined population of USA, Indonesia, Brazil, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Japan put together (about 1214.3 million).
There needs to be a strong foundation of ethics in the society. The preachers of ethics are the real culprits. The only thing I am yet to be convinced is not studying ethics in management courses.
Yes earning has been the sole objective not imparting or gaining knowledge. When you talk about parents, teachers and students you talk about our society.
Ethics will not happen automatically in our country with umpteen bad examples in front. They are our better case studies in class.
2 comments:
really nice article.......
Very relevant topic. While you chose to limit the discussion (perhaps deliberately) to ethics in the context of corporate environment and related education, the issue can potentially be taken a little beyond.
As the cliche says, policy/army/public servants (take you pick) arise out of society only. So perhaps ethics and good governance education, when imparted only at a certain stage (for instance, B-school) may not have sufficient traction, on minds already conditioned to react to the world around in certain ways.
So why not start earlier in life. While it may be impractical to go back (in whatever ways possible) to the old Gurukul systems of education, why have we totally jettisoned moral education from our school curricula. It may be anathema these days to talk of religious literature, but I do feel my own early exposure to supposedly 'regligious' literature (but more appropriately just alegorical tales focused on morality and the way to live) like Ramayan and Mahabharat made not a small dent on my impressionable mind.
If we have decided to discard such 'religious' texts, what other 'secular' alternative have we built up for early education? Or are we OK with letting our youth follow totally materialistic urges and not be bound down by such 'outdated' ideas? In that case, we shouldn't complain when such urges manifest in the form of unethical behaviour.
Business, or even business education, does not exist in a vacuum. Perhaps we should start preparing good (mental) ground for the same much earlier than currently done.
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