Social ethics will affect economy: Mar'ie<\/p>\n
BANDUNG (JP): Minister of Finance Mar'ie Muhammad, departing
\nfrom his usual area of expertise, stressed over the weekend that
\nhigh ethical standards can strongly influence the efficiency of
\nan economy.<\/p>\n
Mar'ie told a gathering with the faculty members of the
\nBandung Institute of Technology that discussions about efficiency
\nusually deal with economic factors, science and technology.<\/p>\n
\"But one should not forget that social ethics or public
\nmorality also play a great role in influencing the level of
\neconomic efficiency,\" he pointed out.<\/p>\n
However good a system may be, he added, it inherently has
\nweaknesses or loopholes which can be exploited by those who do
\nnot uphold social ethics as the rules of conduct.<\/p>\n
Example<\/p>\n
Mar'ie cited as an example the practice of certain businesses
\nmarking up the prices of their projects in order to obtain bigger
\nloans or to rake in as much profit as possible.<\/p>\n
He conceded that laws and rules with clearly-defined penalties
\nare needed.<\/p>\n
\"But we will never have a law that someone cannot get around,\"
\nhe asserted, reaffirming the vital role of social ethics as an
\ninner power for self-restraint.<\/p>\n
Mar'ie devoted the greatest portion of his speech entitled
\nIndonesia Facing the 21st Century to the role of social ethics in
\ntoday's increasingly globalized economy.<\/p>\n
\"You may wonder why a finance minister is talking about ethics
\nand not about financial figures, the state budget and other
\nfiscal matters. You may also get the impression that I am
\nsermonizing and moralizing. I am sorry if I disappoint you,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
The participants who apparently saw Mar'ie's remarks as a
\nvoice of conscience and common sense instead cheered and asked
\nhim to go on with his lively speech.<\/p>\n
Mar'ie argued, though, that in light of so many scientific and
\ntechnological advances that have brought about\" so many changes
\nto our livelihood it is wise for us to occasionally contemplate
\nthe real meaning of our lives.\"<\/p>\n
He noted that ethical standards are even more imperative in
\nthose people holding positions of authority or the ones whose
\nactions affect the fate of others.<\/p>\n
He said if those leaders (in politics, society or business)
\nabuse their power, many will fall victim.<\/p>\n
\"Since the authority held by a public leader concerns the
\npublic, any abuse of that power will harm the public and
\nconsequently increase the costs of the national economy,\" Mar'ie
\npointed out.<\/p>\n
He referred to the high standards of moral character expected
\nfrom the leaders or public figures in western Europe, the United
\nStates and Japan.<\/p>\n
\"Even though in our view the people in western Europe and the
\nUnited States are suffering from moral decadence, their leaders
\nuphold high standards of social ethics,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He acknowledged that such a condition is possible partly
\nbecause of their accountability to the people.<\/p>\n
\"But my point is that their leaders are always subject to and
\nmust always uphold very high standards of public morality,\"
\nMar'ie added.<\/p>\n
Mar'ie's remarks were welcomed by many, especially in light of
\nthe increasing allegations of greedy businessmen being engaged in
\ncorrupt business practices, collusion and other activities
\nleading to further social and economic inequities.<\/p>\n
Standards<\/p>\n
According to Mar'ie, high ethical standards are particularly
\nimperative in Indonesia due to the paternalistic nature of this
\nsociety.<\/p>\n
\"The people follow their leaders and see their leaders or
\nelders as the role models.\"<\/p>\n
According to Mar'ie, the same standards are also prerequisites
\nfor making poverty alleviation and other programs to reduce
\ndisparities in various other fields successful.<\/p>\n
His speech also discussed changes in family life, the
\nweakening of traditional relationships and the increasing
\ntendency of hedonism in urban lifestyles.<\/p>\n
He also touched on other factors influencing the dramatic
\nprogress in communications and telecommunications technology.<\/p>\n
\"I fully realize the severe limitations of a short gathering
\nlike this to develop answers to the issues I've raised. But I
\nthink a relevant question still serves a function, even if it
\ndoesn't get an immediate answer,\" Mar'ie told the applauding
\nscholars. (vin)<\/p>\n
Materialism -- Page 2<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/social-ethics-will-affect-economy-marie-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }