The social responsibilities of Government
- Learning for Life and Work
- Apr 8
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 9
What is social responsibility?
Social responsibility is when people commit themselves to making a difference to the lives of others and have a genuine concern for the welfare of others.
The role of the Government
A democratically elected government has a social responsibility to its citizens. It has a duty to act in the interests of the people. Therefore, the government has a social responsibility to:
The social responsibilities politicians and MLAs
Politicians, including MLAs (Members of the Legislative Assembly), have an important duty to serve the public. Their decisions should be made for the common good, not for personal benefit.
They must be accountable, meaning they should explain their actions and accept responsibility if things go wrong. Politicians are also expected to follow the law and must not use their position for personal gain.
MLAs must stick to a code of conduct, which includes values like honesty, integrity, and respect. This helps build trust and ensures they act fairly and responsibly.
In short, politicians must always act in the public’s best interest and set a good example.
Social Responsibilities of public representatives
Public representatives are people who hold leadership roles in government organisations or public bodies, such as CCEA. Unlike politicians, they are usually appointed to their roles rather than elected.
These representatives have an important social responsibility. They must make sure that the services their organisations provide are high quality, meet public needs, and offer value for money.
Public representatives are also accountable to the public. This means they must be able to explain their decisions and ensure their actions are in the best interests of society. Their role is about making sure public services work well and fairly for everyone.
QUESTIONS YOU COULD BE ASKED ON THIS
Explain two ways public representatives such as local councillors can demonstrate social responsibility (4marks)
One way local councillors can demonstrate social responsibility is by acting with integrity and honesty. This means they should not abuse their position for personal gain or behave dishonestly.
Another way is by representing the views of their constituents. They should make decisions that benefit the people they represent, rather than serving their own interests.
Explain two ways that the government and politicians can demonstrate social responsibility (4marks)
The government can demonstrate social responsibility by making sure all laws related to human rights are followed. This helps protect people from inequality and ensures everyone is treated fairly.
Politicians can also show social responsibility by making decisions that benefit the whole public. This means they are not putting their own interests first but are working for the good of society.
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