News Article Essay
The purpose of this assignment: To demonstrate that you can recognize and analyze ethical situations in contemporary society.
The News Link:
Write an essay describing why you feel the topic discussed in the article is an ethical problem, how the situation can be analyzed in ethical terms and any thoughts or recommendations you have on how the situation could be mitigated in the present or avoided in the future.
ANALYSIS
Abuse of power is common in both developing and developed countries, and it has various forms. Most forms of abuse of power are considered a criminal offense and punishment of such abuse of authority are stern. However, a few forms/practices of abuse of power/authority, are quite subtle with little impact on society and political-economic system; however, these instances, of abuse of power/authority, are still a serious ethical issue. In the selected article, ethical issues about abuse of authority and violation of public trust, by Senator Dean G Skelos, are discussed at length.
State Senator Dean G Skelos is accused of exploiting his political position and power to benefit his son and to satisfy his greed. Plaintiff accuses Senator Dean of violating the public trust to further and protect his vested interests. The senator is also accused of extortion and honest services fraud (all are crimes and ethical issues as a senator had several alternatives that can easily be evaluated as right or wrong) (McKinley).
Both cases of abuse of power and violation of trust are ethical issues, which affect the political-economic-social system. For instance, when in society, individuals, or groups’ trust in a government starts to shake/erode, society and economic system begin to deteriorate. Therefore, it is imperative for public holders to take the right decisions every time, as the consequence of wrong or unethical decisions are immense and strong. Studies reveal that when government officials and representatives begin to ignore ethical obligations and no more distinguishes right from wrong, the entire system starts to collapse. Therefore, ethical obligations and ethical issues are relevant subjects.
For me, the article discusses two ethical issues or highlights two ethical problems: 1) abuse of authority and 2) a breach or violation of public trust. Though, both ethical issues and problems overlap one another; however, they are still unique. In fact, one of the ethical problems becomes the cause of the other. For instance, the abuse of authority causes a violation of trust, which is both criminal offense and violation of universal ethics regarding the use of power/authority in a robust democracy.
It is also evident from the methodical study of the selected article that powerful political elite of the United States is reducing legal definition and formal understanding of corruption and abuse of authority, which will further aggravate the issue about violation of established ethics regarding the exploitation of authority for financial or other reasons. For instance, as the legal definition of corruption and abuse of authority would reduce, it would become easier for government officials and representatives to opt for the alternative that society/system evaluate as wrong.
HOW COULD THE SITUATION BE MITIGATED IN PRESENT?
Decisions are influenced by the size of benefit they yield or by the size of cost for an individual/group of taking a decision. Currently, laws are being amended in such a manner that they encourage government officials to take ethically controversial decisions rather than deterring them from doing so. The article also discusses how the legal system is favoring abuse of authority by Senators such as Dean Skelos. It is imperative for courts to sternly punish the violation of ethics in forms of abuse of authority and violation of public trust, so that in the short term, such instances may not occur.
FOR THE FUTURE
It is apparent that punitive measures against violation of ethics play an important part in deterring individuals and groups from abusing authority. However, strong punitive measures against the exploitation of authority would require a comprehensive definition of corruption and abuse of power, which is possible only through a strong political will. There are strong indications that the political system is rigged in favor of a powerful class, which also includes politicians, which is why ethical issues are occurring more frequently than before.
Work Cited
McKinley, James C. “At Retrial, Prosecutors Say Skelos Used Clout to Help Son.” New York Times. New York Times, 20 June 2018. Web. 28 June 2018. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/20/nyregion/at-retrial-prosecutors-say-skelos-used-clout-to-help-son.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FEthics&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=7&p.
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