It is often said that ‘politics’ and ‘ethics’ do not go together. What is your opinion in this regard? Justify your answer with illustrations.

Context

The claim that politics and ethics do not go together reflects the cynical, Machiavellian view that politics is merely the pursuit of power by any means. I disagree: while political practice is often unethical, politics and ethics are not inherently incompatible. Ethics is precisely what makes politics legitimate and directs it towards the public good.

Where the two align

• Gandhi's satyagraha showed politics conducted on truth and non-violence.
• Constitutional morality, the RTI Act, the Lokpal and codes of conduct institutionalise ethics within politics.
• Leaders like Lal Bahadur Shastri and Nelson Mandela demonstrated integrity at the highest office.

Where tension arises

Electoral compulsions, criminalisation of politics, populism and the "end justifies the means" logic corrupt political conduct. But these are failures of practitioners, not proof that ethics is alien to politics.

Conclusion

Ethics and politics must go together. A politics divorced from ethics degenerates into a mere struggle for power, corroding institutions and public faith, whereas ethical politics — grounded in truth, accountability and service — builds public trust, legitimacy and just governance. The remedy for unethical politics is not to abandon ethics but to demand more of it.