Mains Marathon

Approach:

• Begin by briefly explaining the meaning of moral attitudes and political attitudes.
• Discuss moral attitude as the foundation of character.
• Explain political attitude as the essence of democratic citizenship.
• Examine the interrelationship between moral and political attitudes.
• Conclude with a suitable way forward.

Introduction:

Moral attitudes reflect an individual’s sense of right and wrong, shaping their character, while political attitudes represent beliefs about governance, rights, and civic duties, shaping citizenship. In a democracy, the interplay of both fosters ethical public life by aligning private conscience with public responsibility.

Body :

Moral Attitudes: Foundation of Individual Character

• Moral attitudes develop through socialization—via family, education, religion, and experience.
• They govern personal behavior, honesty, compassion, and respect for others.
• A moral individual demonstrates:
  • Integrity in personal dealings
  • Empathy towards the vulnerable
  • Accountability in actions
• For example:
  • Mother Teresa's lifelong service to the sick and destitute in Kolkata reflects deep empathy and a moral commitment to human dignity.
  • E. Sreedharan, known as the "Metro Man of India," maintained strict personal and professional integrity during large infrastructure projects, refusing political interference and ensuring timely, corruption-free delivery.

Political Attitudes: Essence of Democratic Citizenship

• Political attitudes reflect how individuals perceive justice, governance, and their role as citizens.
• A citizen who values democracy, pluralism, and constitutionalism exhibits responsible civic behavior.
• Active political attitudes include:
  • Respect for constitutional values
  • Participation in democratic processes
  • Demand for transparency and justice
• For example:
  • Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s deep political commitment to justice and equality was shaped by his personal experience of caste-based discrimination, combining personal morality with democratic activism.

Interrelationship

• Civic Virtue: A morally upright person with positive political attitudes contributes to the common good. For example, whistleblowers like Edward Snowden or Indian RTI activists reflect both personal courage and civic commitment.
• Constitutional Morality: Citizens who internalize constitutional values like liberty, equality, and secularism demonstrate both ethical character and political responsibility.
• Resistance to Immorality in Politics: Citizens with strong moral grounding can challenge corrupt political cultures. For example, the JP Movement in the 1970s in India was driven by public moral outrage against authoritarianism.
• Ethical Voting Behavior: Voters who let communalism or narrow interests guide choices may have weak moral-political integration. In contrast, ethical voters prioritize inclusive, development-focused leadership.

Challenges

• Moral Relativism: Changing values may dilute shared public ethics.
• Political Polarization: Loyalty to ideology over truth can corrode morality.
• Weak Civic Education: Lack of awareness leads to blind conformity or apathy.

Way Forward

• Value-based civic education must be introduced from early schooling.
• Role modelling by leaders and institutions should promote ethical conduct.
• Encouraging public discourse rooted in constitutional and moral reasoning is essential.

Conclusion:

Mahatma Gandhi, whose life exemplified the union of morality and politics, believed that “Politics devoid of morality is a sin.” Therefore, an ethically responsible public life can only flourish when citizens, inspired by moral values, actively participate in democratic processes with a sense of duty, justice, and integrity—making moral attitudes and political attitudes inseparable pillars of a just society.