GS Paper 4 (Ethics)Social values and inclusive growth
Social values are more important than economic values. Discuss the above statement with examples in the context of inclusive growth of a nation.
Based on 22 evaluated answers to this question on CollectorBabu: here is what aspirants most often missed, the mistakes that cost marks, and a model answer.
What most aspirants missed
- Economic values are rarely credited: growth funds health, education and welfare (Ayushman Bharat, PM-KISAN), and candidates should say so explicitly.
- Amartya Sen's capability approach is seldom used to explain why income alone is an incomplete measure of inclusion.
- The balance or interdependence angle, where social values make economic growth broad-based and growth funds social values, is often missing.
- SDG 10 (reduced inequalities) and the global framework linking social and economic goals are rarely cited.
- Concrete inequality data, such as the wealth or income share of the top decile, or HDI and Gini indicators, is often absent.
- Constitutional anchors such as Articles 38 and 39 and the Preamble's fraternity, linked directly to inclusive outcomes, are underused.
Common mistakes
- Treating the 'discuss' directive as a one-sided argument with no counter-view on economic growth.
- Listing schemes such as Jan Dhan, Ujjwala or PM-KISAN by name without explaining which social value each reflects.
- Using vague or philosophical lines, such as unfair wealth accumulation, without linking them to inclusive growth outcomes.
- Ending with a conclusion that does not answer whether social values are more important, or simply repeating the introduction.
What the better answers did
- A clear balanced structure with subheadings such as Social Values, Economic Values and Balance Needed.
- Specific Indian examples linked to inclusion, such as Kerala's HDI, MGNREGA and Kudumbashree, with named beneficiaries like SC, ST and women.
- Using Sen's capability approach or Articles 38 and 39 as theoretical or constitutional backing.
- A conclusion that takes a position, saying social values set direction and economic values provide means.
Introduction
Open by stating that inclusive growth needs both values, and that the real question is which value sets the direction when they conflict.
Conclusion
Close by answering the statement directly: social values should guide growth, but only a productive economy can deliver them.
Model answer
Economic growth is the means; social values decide whether its gains reach everyone. Inclusive growth needs both, but where they conflict, equality, dignity and capability must guide economic choices. Amartya Sen's capability approach (Development as Freedom) shows that income matters because it expands health, education and freedom.
Case for social values
- Kerala built a high HDI with modest per-capita income through education, health and land reforms, while Gujarat grew faster but lagged on several social indicators.
- Articles 38 and 39 of the Constitution direct the State to minimise inequality and ensure equitable distribution of resources.
- Kudumbashree mobilises poor women into self-help groups, turning social capital into livelihoods.
Role of economic values
- Growth creates the fiscal base for welfare: tax revenue finances Ayushman Bharat and PM-KISAN.
- Economic efficiency enables MGNREGA, which gives a legal employment guarantee (economic security) grounded in dignity of labour.
- Without a productive economy, welfare schemes become unsustainable.
Balance needed
- Jan Dhan Yojana (2014) prioritised financial inclusion for the unbanked, yet its success depends on efficient banking systems.
- Nordic countries combine universal welfare with open markets and high productivity.
- SDG 10 (reduced inequalities) pairs social goals with economic targets, showing that the two reinforce each other.
Social values should be the compass for inclusive growth, since growth that leaves out Dalits, Adivasis and women does not qualify as inclusive. Economic values supply the resources and efficiency that make social goals achievable. The right answer is therefore not that one outranks the other, but that social values set the direction and economic values provide the means.
Write this answer and get it evaluated
Handwritten answers, expert-reviewed, back in under 24 hours. Start with the ₹49 Trial.
Evaluate my answerMore GS Paper 4 (Ethics) questions
- Discuss the role of ethics and values in enhancing the following three major components of Comprehensive National Power (CNP) viz. human capital, soft power (culture and policies), and social harmony.
- Mindless addiction to Form, ignoring the Substance of the matter, results in rendering of injustice. Examine the above statement with illustrations.
- For any kind of social re-engineering by successfully implementing welfare schemes, a civil servant must use reason and critical thinking in an ethical framework. Justify this statement with suitable examples.
- You hold a responsible position in a ministry in the government. One day in the morning you received a call from the school of your 11-year-old son that you are required to come and meet the Principal. You proceed to the school and find your son in the Principal's office. The Principal informs you that your son had been found wandering aimlessly in the grounds during the time classes were in progress. The class teacher further informs you that your son has lately become a loner and did not respond to questions in the class, he had also been unable to perform well in the football trials held recently. You bring your son back from the school and in the evening, you along with your wife try to find out the reasons for your son's changed behaviour. After repeated cajoling, your son shares that some children had been making fun of him in the class as well as in the WhatsApp group of the students by calling him stunted, duh and a frog. He tells you the names of a few children who are the main culprits but pleads with you to let the matter rest. After a few days, during a sporting event, where you and your wife have gone to watch your son play, one of your colleague's son shows you a video in which students have caricatured your son. Further, he also points out to the perpetrators who were sitting in the stands. You purposefully walk past them with your son and go home. Next day, you find on social media, a video denigrating you, your son and even your wife, stating that you engaged in physical bullying of children on the sports field. The video became viral on social media. Your friends and colleagues began calling you to find out the details. One of your juniors advised you to make a counter video giving the background and explaining that nothing had happened on the field. You, in turn posted a video which you have captured during the sporting event, identifying the likely perpetrators who were responsible for your son's predicament. You have also narrated what has actually happened in the field and made attempts to bring out the adverse effects of the misuse of social media. (a) Based on the above case study, discuss the ethical issues involved in the use of social media. (b) Discuss the pros and cons of using social media by you to put across the facts to counter the fake propaganda against your family.
- The Doctrine of Democratic Governance makes it necessary that the public perception of the integrity and commitment of civil servants becomes absolutely positive. Discuss.
- Explain how ethics contributes to social and human well-being.