Question

Comment on Robert D. Behn and James W. Vaupel’s quote on values reprinted in the text: “Decisions depend upon judgments—judgments about the nature of the dilemma, the probabilities of events, and the desirability of consequences. Decision-making is inherently subjective.” What do you think about this idea that decisions are subjective? Can you give an example of how you have witnessed your government make a decision that seemed more subjective than objective? How does that make you feel that the subjectivity of administrators is at work in their decision-making? How do the different approaches to decision-making treat “values,” and which ones seem more value driven than others?

Answer 1

Decision making has always been backed up by dilemma, the dilemma of taking a decision which is subjective or objective. A subjective decision making refers to the induction of personal perspectives, feelings or opinions entering the decision making whereas an objective decision making always depends on the hard facts while taking decisions.

                                    Robert D Behn and James W Vaupel in their writing have stressed on the fact that decision making is inherently subjective. With reference to the writing, it has to be said that although most of the decisions seems to be objective, an inherent subjectivity cannot be ruled out in every decision making process. One of the most important parameter of a good decision making is the inherent objectivity it contains. The more objective the decision making remains, the more value oriented the results wood remain. Although the level of uncertainty may affect the decision making, the values of the decision should never be compromised so that the element of objectiveness is not lost. For example, consider the current scenario where the whole world is being affected with the Covid 19, the Corona virus. The governments all over the world are finding it hard to overcome the menace it is causing on a day to day scale. On analysis, we can see that whichever government has taken objective decisions have so far succeeded in curtailing the virus and whichever government has taken a more subjective oriented decision making has seen the fall. Consider the comparison of the US and Indian government. The US government which is running a capitalist one has never compromised the fall of its economy even in this scenario, which proved crucial in the fact that the death rates are seen to climb daily. The Indian government on the other hand took the decision of protecting its people’s lives by surrendering its economy. Thus although the economy seems to be a little stranded now a days, the objectiveness has so far remained successful which can be seen from the overall statistics. But as the writing goes, it can never be said that the decision made in 100 percent objective. The fact that the government always requires a stable society has always an influence on the decision making of the government and hence a small element of subjectivity cannot be disproved.

                                                 Subjectivity and objectivity are outcomes of time and situation, but it is clear that when it comes to the overall wellness of the people or a society, the government is bound to remain objective so that the overall interests of the society is being protected rather than the self interest of the government.