〓dies in flames， reborn from the ash〓作业ISSUE8 By Alex_2009

Alex_2009UID: 2616286

8、"It is often necessary, even desirable, for political leaders to withhold information from the public."

Whether the political leader should withhold information from the public or not? The statement above gives that it is often necessary, even desirable. I think what the political leaders do should ultimately ensure the benefit of the country; this should be the first they thought about, after this we can talk about their honesty to the public.

When it comes to the conflict between the moral standard and nation’s interest, what the proper way to deal with this inconsistency to the political leaders? Doubtless that the nation’s interest should be more important, to a political leader, his obligation is to pledge the security and interests of the nation any time. It is entirely possible that this behavior hardly can be understood, nevertheless, we should recognize that this is wisdom of politicians. For example, if a enormous disaster just like a big earthquake will happen to a city is known by the government, they may choose not to tell the citizens immediately, they should first keep the people’s stability so that the government can take effective measures to take them off of the dangerous. In this case, it is necessary for them to withhold the information from the pubic.

Further speaking, people have the rights to know the information that they should know, as long as it did no disadvantage to the nation’s benefit. Consider the nation’s finance situation, they should be told the essential information of it. Or considering the evaluation of the environment they live, or even the implementation and effect of some social engineering projects and social endowment. These information are the essential parts the government information which has much to do with people’s lives should be told to the public. In addition, let people know some essential information is the characteristic of democracy, and this act will help to supervise the political behavior effectively.

Accordingly, on the other side, to the politicians, they cannot conceal the information for the private purpose, notably cannot do any disadvantage to the notion with this as an excuse, otherwise, it is a fraud. Take retrospect of the political history, we will find that the Watergate Event. This is a typically case that misuse of authority of the political leader. That event inflicted a heavy loss to the image of government and caused a crisis of credit between the people and the authority. The political leaders should think about this carefully. We should also take account of it with attention. Excessive freedom will induce the misuse of power.

In sum, for the political leaders and the government, trust of the public is very important. They should take try their best to show their faithfulness to the people, such as improve the policy for information. And people also have to do a good job to supervise the behavior of the authority.