(a) What were the major teachings of Guru Nanak? Explain their relevance in the contemporary world. (b) Explain the term social capital. How does it enhance good governance?
Subtopic: Ethics Theory · moral teachings and social capital
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Detailed model answer
196 words · target 150 words · 20 min
Teachings of Guru Nanak and their relevance
Guru Nanak, founder of Sikhism, preached a monotheistic, egalitarian ethic captured in Ik Onkar (one universal creator). His major teachings include equality of all humans irrespective of caste, creed or gender; rejection of ritualism and superstition; honest living (Kirat Karo); sharing with others (Vand Chhako); and remembrance of the divine (Naam Japo). He institutionalised langar and sangat to enact equality.
These remain strikingly relevant: gender equality and social inclusion counter present-day discrimination; honest labour speaks to work ethic and anti-corruption; selfless service (seva) underpins community relief, seen in gurdwara oxygen langars during COVID-19; and dialogue counters communal polarisation.
Social capital and good governance
Social capital, as Robert Putnam described, is the network of trust, norms of reciprocity and civic engagement that enables people to act collectively. It enhances good governance by: lowering the cost of enforcing rules through voluntary compliance; strengthening accountability as active citizens monitor officials; enabling co-production of services via SHGs and RWAs; and building resilience during crises. Kerala's dense associational life and the SHG movement illustrate how trust-rich communities improve delivery. Values like those of Guru Nanak generate exactly such reservoirs of trust, making governance participative and legitimate.
What an examiner expects to see
- Guru Nanak's core message: Ik Onkar, equality of all beyond caste/creed/gender, rejection of empty ritual
- Threefold ethical practice: Kirat Karo (honest work), Vand Chhako (share), Naam Japo (remembrance)
- Institutions of langar and sangat operationalised equality and community service
- Contemporary relevance: gender equality, anti-corruption work ethic, seva, communal harmony
- Social capital (Putnam) = networks of trust, reciprocity norms and civic engagement
- It boosts governance via voluntary compliance, citizen accountability, co-production of services
- Bonding and bridging social capital build resilience and inclusive participation
- Value systems create the trust that social capital and good governance depend on
Concrete cases, schemes and judgments
- Gurdwara langars and oxygen langars during COVID-19 as living seva
- Robert Putnam, 'Making Democracy Work' and 'Bowling Alone' on civic trust
- Kerala's Kudumbashree and dense associational life improving service delivery
- Self-Help Group movement enabling co-produced financial inclusion
- Resident Welfare Associations aiding local monitoring and grievance redress