ETHICS AND POWER: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF POLITICAL MORALITY IN MODERN GOVERNANCE
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29121/k1sm9835Keywords:
Ethics, Political Morality, Governance, Power, Accountability, Corruption, LegitimacyAbstract
The intersection of ethics and political power forms the moral foundation of modern governance. In contemporary democracies and authoritarian regimes alike, the exercise of power frequently tests the boundaries between moral responsibility and political necessity. This paper explores how political ethics influence governance quality, public trust, and institutional legitimacy. By comparing political morality across three governance models—liberal democracies, populist regimes, and technocratic states—this study highlights how ethical frameworks shape decision-making, corruption tolerance, and accountability. Using a mixed-method approach supported by hypothetical data, the findings suggest that systems with institutionalized ethical norms and accountability mechanisms exhibit higher transparency and public trust. The paper concludes that moral leadership and ethical governance are indispensable to achieving political legitimacy and sustainable development in the 21st century.
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