Without exonerating culprits, we need to ask ourselves a question: Do we possess the integrity we demand of our politicians?
We lament the increasing lack of integrity in our leaders. From submitting fake degrees to the ECP (in many cases) to scams of all shades and hues, the list is endless. Every stone turned reveals one. Without exonerating culprits, we need to ask ourselves a question: Do we possess the integrity we demand of our politicians?
Urban Dictionary gives an extremely interesting definition of integrity, ‘Doing the right thing even when nobody’s looking.’ On a more formal note, it offers another definition, ‘Steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code.’ Ethical code is generally defined as, ‘a system of principles governing morality and acceptable conduct,’ and a moral code as, ‘the quality of being in accord with standards of right or good conduct.’
For example, stealing, killing, lying, cheating are deemed as ‘bad conduct’ worldwide. Adrian Bishop, in a paper, ‘Moral principles defined: a decision-making perspective,’ shares, ‘One does not try and define what morality is, but one defines it by what it does.
Moral values are how one actually measures the difference between right and wrong, good and bad, positive and negative actions. This definition helps to distinguish between moral values and moral virtues. The latter, often quoted as moral values, are characteristics such as bravery, patience, altruism, generosity, prudence and so on, which affirm who the person is, whilst morality concerns itself with defining what the person should do.’
Warren Buffet, chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway said it best, “In looking for people to hire, look for three qualities: integrity, intelligence, and energy. And if they don’t have the first one, the other two will kill you.” A person’s dishonesty will eventually catch up to them. It may not be today, and it may not be for many years, but you can rest assured that at some point there will always be a reckoning.’ (Forbes, 11/28/2012)
Coming back to the question; if integrity is about adhering to an ethical and moral code, how do many of us actually prescribe to it?
From the lowest level to the highest, corruption, lack of moral and ethical values seems to have replaced integrity. Of course, this is not true of everyone but in general terms seem to be true. Take a look around you. You will see innumerable examples in your daily lives. Going to grocery shopping – each shopkeeper selling vegetables will have a different rate for the same produce, often swinging wildly from Rs15/- a kilo to Rs45/-. Everyone tries to convince ‘Baji’ that the difference of price owes to a better quality of goods he alone is selling. How many times, those working have sent false excuses for not showing up for work? How many times, with unwanted guests turning up at our doorstep have been sent away with a false message sent through the servant that, ‘Sahib is not well and resting’ or the like – often in full hearing of giggling and amused offspring? How often do we grease the palms of people in different departments to get the work done; yes often for legitimate work too – because otherwise it will not be done? The list is endless and I can go on and on. But I guess you get the picture.
From the lowest level to the highest, corruption, lack of moral and ethical values seems to have replaced integrity. Of course, this is not true of everyone but in general terms seem to be true.
Does the ability to observe ethical and moral code and have integrity related in any way to observing laws? I think it does. Law is, by and large, a lot of common sense aimed to look after and preserve the rights of individuals within the society, supporting the ‘good conduct’ and opposing the ‘bad conduct.’ Organizations dealing their consumers and markets with integrity win their trust. Dan Akerson, chairman and chief executive officer of General Motors, in his ‘Leadership Message’ to the company’s employees in 2011 says, ‘Acting with integrity is something we must live every day at GM, and the current business environment makes it more important than ever. It means honest and accurate reporting of our performance. It means careful attention to our internal controls and policies. It means understanding and complying with our legal responsibilities. And, it means competing by the rules and making sure our actions match our words.’ In other words respecting the law in countries it is operating and respecting the law/policies to be followed within the organization.’
The constitution of Pakistan in Article 63 laying out disqualifications of a member of parliament states that a person shall be disqualified from being elected or chosen if ‘he has been convicted by a court of competent jurisdiction for propagating any opinion, or acting in any manner prejudicial to the ideology of Pakistan, or the sovereignty, integrity or security of Pakistan, or morality, or the maintenance of public order, or the integrity or independence of the judiciary of Pakistan, or which defames or brings into ridicule the judiciary or the armed forces of Pakistan, unless a period of five years has elapsed since his release.’ Yet another clause of Article 63 states the person may not be chosen if he has been, on conviction for any offence involving moral turpitude and sentenced for a period of two years unless five years have passed since ending of serving of the said sentence. Black’s Law Dictionary (1891-1991 Pg 1008) defines moral turpitude as, ‘The act of baseness, vileness, or the depravity in private and social duties which man owns to his fellow men, or to the society in general contrary to accepted and customary rule of right and duty between man and man.’
Things are not isolated. They are intertwined, overlapping and encircling one another. Laws are but an endorsement of supporting the good acts within the moral code of behaviour. The question then arises: Why do wrong acts go unpunished? Why are certain people perceived to be above the law while the same law deals harshly for the same crime with others?
This by no long shot means to imply a wrong becomes a right by virtue of this. What it does mean is, with a lack of respect for law, with a lack of respect for following a moral and ethical code of conduct and with a system in which each clog serves itself and its own, ignoring the ‘social duties which man owns to his fellow men, or to the society in general contrary to accepted and customary rule of right,’ the level of integrity has been allowed to slip and go unchecked.
It is here the role of strong leadership comes in play. A strong leader must support and implement laws, stand head and shoulders above corruption and be seen to be a man (or woman) of unimpeachable integrity. USIAD states on its SITE, ‘Fragile states are also characterized by weak policies, institutions, and governance.’ This will inevitably negatively impact different areas of lives of the common man creating anger and frustration. It will lead to more flaunting of laws at all levels.
A choice has to be made between good conduct and bad conduct.
Integrity was dead once Aurangzeb saddled to throne after killing 3 brother's and imprisoning father and Mother. PAKISTAN IS HERO LAND
Kings have always eliminated threats to their thrones. The dictators also do that. Remember, kings and dictators do not like king makers. So, pakistan is no different. That' s why world over "democracy — howsoever bad in governance" is being preferred over all other types of government systems. But, let us be credible.
Very well written. But I think 'everyone is a culprit' is also becoming a sort of cliche expression!
Well written. But Mammon, that centuries' old enemy of integrity, has played its part. Down the ages.
A lack of sense of doing the right thing..seen in nearly every aspect of life because our social&moral fabric is unravelling.Sad!
Yasmeen I must appreciate the contents, flow, research ingenuity and your heartfelt touch with the subject. No doubt what ever you wrote is in-debate-bale and I would say you please continue seeding even if you have to do it in a barren desert .. may be sometimes rain comes and the seeds you sow develop into trees, regenerating the process. I am from that generation which saw the environment is our society to which we call "a moral society", being from a village and land-owner family, it was a sin to act what you mentioned or the things of alike in our day to day life. Even in western society and military strategies "deceit" which is now the basic fundamental principle of war / part of "surprise and deception" was an immoral act till late 19th century. I was going through book "Makers of Modern Strategy" and somewhere he mentioned in the chapter on France that once a prince went for hunting and he used "deceit" to lure his prey to hunt; the matter was reported to the king on the return by the guards and prince was not only admonished but punished.
Now you can see what is happening every where. I request you to get copy of "MUQADAM-E-IBN E KHALDUN" and read a research work of an Egyptian Scholar on the comparison of Michavele and Ibn e Khaldun political philosophies. You will get at least 100 answers to why things are wrong … and if you read complete seven volumes, you will get answers to 1000 questions.
Muhammad Amin Sahib,
Thank you for the appreciation. Times have changed. The world I see today is so different from the one I was brought up in. The values I was given are so 'out dated' in today's scenario. But yes, one must strive. Every day. Even if its a few, or even one, who takes omething from you; it's worth it. All that toil & effort!
God Bless U.
Yasmeen Aftab Ali
with due apology from Mr. Amin and Ms. Yasmeen Aftab, do you compare the vlaues on which our parents groomed us and the way our generation grooming the next generation. We mean the whole society. The far we go from our basics than these integirty lessons will automatically be outdated.
Education & family upbringing brings integrity. Unfortunately most politicians lack both!
If today's corrupt incompetent politicians & us had a teacher like u things would be different. Salute!
A very useful article YAA
It is a good idea to be ethical, and moral, but those are religious, social and moral concepts.
Here, the entire country is run by If, Then. If you do this, Then this will happen to you.
In 25,000, schools of America there is a Banner, Actions Have Consequences.
Here, they have controlled the entire country by Fines, and deadlines.
A question that we all should ask outselves. After all the politicians
that we criticize also are the product of the same environment as what
you and I were raised within.
Syed Wajahat Hussain
Commendable effort towards societal reformation. You are incredible!
HH
What a thought provoking article. Absolutely loved it
The leadership in the country is as good as the people live there. There has to be a change in the whole set up for this to happen: a leader with a Mangolian DNA must lead the country and for any change to be effective, there is a need for rivers of blood flowing through the streets of Pakistan. (even a peon, and a beggar is corrupt in the country)
A Lady with clear vision and respected approach !!!
Excellent article! M convinced that 4 now v don't deserve democracy. A despot with integrity can change the game 4 us! But who?
Before joining govt service in Pakistan(ECP) i used to think govt officers are less intelligent and incapable. Unfortunately i found most of them nothing but opportunists, lacking self respect and integrity.
Yasmeen Sahiba, thanks for a well researched article and I read it twice.. I feel that decay of society is in progress.. I have always believed that Its the leaders that define the destiny of Nation. Our Quaid (M A Jinnah) was known for his integrity, commitment and justice for all beings alike. He stood out only due to his character. Even worst of his enemies would not dispute his traits. See what he had done, created a new country for the betterment of oppressed community. Later, the leaders, could not follow the Great Quaid's footsteps as they lacked those traits and see the result. We are in mess, couldn't be worse I believe. Power thirst and greed for the unearned money appears to be the order of the day. Men with integrity can only stop this process decay.
I am saddened to agree with you Jafri Sahib.
In a stagnant, decomposed and poisoned pond, the scum rises to the top. That unfortunately, is our society.
Aalaa…… but our political system is such that an honest person can't enter it & if he gets in by chance, he blends into same company.
Ajmal
How would we judge a person to be honest unless we change ourselves to be honest.
The article is implying that integrity, as it should be in accordance to its definition,
is dead all across. It simply needs to be revived. The problem that is before us
has to do with reviving it. Suggest ways integrity and honesty can be brought
back into the daily life.
We need to raise children with integrity, intelligence and energy. That should be the goal.
The rest is mere hot air.
Syed Wajahat Hussain
Excellent article.
What the common man can do is ELECT honest people to parliament irrespective of their party affiliations. This may have a trickle down effect. Otherwise?
Javed Helali
EXCELLENT WRITE UP YASMEEN BIBI
RGRDS
K A
All these vices you mentioned, have become part and parcel of our life and we have accepted them as a matter of routine. One gets feeling of surprise, when an honest encounter occurs. (Right from the top, to a plumber). Shell we ever get out of this. Are there any hopeful signs ?
ur article is thought provoking . in our country everybody knows what is right n what is wrong n what needs to be done to put the country on the right track but we want others to reform first n ourselves to reform in the end. Nothing will change in a country which is full of talkers but no doers. regards.
Ms. Yasmeen Aftab Ali
An excellent and pragmatic exposition of the problem currentlly plaguing the country ie. lack of integrity in every day life at all levels. The other major problem now almost endemic is SECTARIANISM. The latter has spread so much intolerance among the different muslim sects that it is tearing the country apart and a major cause of continued terrorism. An existenial threat to the integrity & sovereignty of the country.
I look forward to a column re. sectarianism prevailing in the country and its solution from you in the very near future. Thanks.
Regards
Madam
I am ashamed to admit that we DO NOT qualify to be men of integrity. Regardless of the "political" system we have, if we really want, we an make a difference but do we really want. We seem to have reached a stage that we love our miseries.
Zubair
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