UPSC Mains 2022 · GS IV · Q5(a) · 10 marks · 150 words

Russia and Ukraine war has been going on for the last seven months. Different countries have taken independent stands and actions keeping in view their own national interests. We are all aware that war has its own impact on the different aspects of society, including human tragedy. What are those ethical issues that are crucial to be considered while launching the war and its continuation so far? Illustrate with justification the ethical issues involved in the given state of affair.

हिन्दी में

पिछले सात महीनों से रूस और युक्रेन के बीच युद्ध जारी है। विभिन्न देशों ने अपने राष्ट्रीय हितों को ध्यान में रखते हुए स्वतंत्र स्टैंड लिया है और कार्यवाही की है। हम सभी जानते हैं कि मानव त्रासदी समेत समाज के विभिन्न पहलुओं पर युद्ध का अपना असर रहता है। वे कौन-से नैतिक मुद्दे हैं, जिन पर युद्ध शुरू करते समय और अब तक इसकी निरंतरता पर विचार करना महत्त्वपूर्ण है? इस मामले में दी गई स्थिति में शामिल नैतिक मुद्दों का औचित्यपूर्ण वर्णन कीजिए।

How a topper answered the closest question

Toppers wrote this one in a test series: “The Russia-Ukraine war has led to nations applying economic sanctions on Russia. Discuss the ethical dilemmas involved in this situation. 5(b) "War and peace are constructs of the mind." Comment.”

Deepali MahtoAIR 36 · CSE 2025 · 292 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening

The Russia-Ukraine war lead to the nation applying economic sanction on Russia.

Ethical dilemma due to economic sanction

Body · points

i) From utilitarian as it can [lead to] raising of prices of essential commodities → FAO- food crisis in Africa → crisis of living in European nation.

ii) use of coercion to achieve the end (peace)? - from Deontological

  • Russia banned from 'SWIFT' network

The policy maker can adress the challen

  1. using of Aristotle's golden mean that is maintaining balance between sanction and nation interest.

  2. promote Samvaad that is dialogue to reduce the conflict → 'peace is eteral and war is transien.'

  3. promotion of soft power to counter the war

  4. supply chain resilient initial with like minded coun

  5. Provide assistance to weak nat.

→ FAO - grain transfer.

As Honarable prime minister had sen that is 'not the era of war but peace', because people are central to any policy

The above quote talks about how both war and peace are constructs of the mind.

A war is constructed in mind:

  1. due to the prejudices & stereotype that one harbours.

  2. religion tension cause due to ethenocentric belief.

  3. due to ego centrism that one is superior over other.

    v) Hilter & supremacy of Aryan race.

iii) Due to a small area of land to assert dominance.

v) Russia-Ukraine

The same mind can also act as harbinger of peace.

  1. promoting rational thinking and compassion

  2. [Ashoka] post kalinga war was followed Dhamm

  3. By promoting [culture relativism]

  4. [UN declaration of Human rights.]

  5. multilateral grouping to promote [collaboration] and coordination

  6. UN - peacekeeping force

Close · a summary

Hence both peace and war are product of mind, so one should promote steps that reduce conflict and promote peace.

How toppers approach this question, and more on its topic: open the question.

Toppers’ answers to other close questions

Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Main) Examination 2022, General Studies Paper IV, Q5(a). The paper on upsc.gov.in. Themes and links to toppers’ answers are by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.