Discuss paternalism

What will be an ideal response?

Paternalism refers to actions taken to benefit a person without that
person's consent. In any ethics system emphasizing individual autonomy and liberty, consent is essential for an action or a rule to have moral standing. Paternalism is thus a moral wrong. Paternalism is also objectionable from a consequentialist perspective because it denies individuals the opportunity to make choices that would further their interests. Gert provides a definition of paternalism:
One is acting paternalistically toward a person if and only if …:
1. one's action benefits that person,
2. one's action involves violating a moral rule with regard to that person,
3. one's action does not have that person's past, present, or immediately
forthcoming consent, and
4. that person is competent to give consent (simple or valid) to the violation.
Actions taken on behalf of others are often justified by claims that if those others
had the information that the action taker has, consent would have been granted.
According to Gert's definition, an action taken to benefit a person who has
incomplete information about a situation is not paternalistic if the person would
grant consent once the action has been explained and the information presented.
In some cases, it is easy to know whether consent would be granted. Firms take a variety of actions to benefit their stakeholders. A firm may bargain with HMOs over the price for health care services, and the firm's bargaining power can lower the cost to both employees and the firm. In such a case, it is in the interests of both employees and shareholders to have the firm represent them. Consent would surely be given.
In contrast, few companies endorse candidates for public office or try to influence how employees vote. Voting is an exercise of individual autonomy, and individuals have the fundamental right not to be coerced into associating with ideas, positions, or candidates with which they disagree. Consent by individuals for the endorsement of candidates by their employer likely would not be granted. Labor unions, however, regularly endorse candidates for office without the consent of their members. Labor unions differ from firms in an important dimension, however, since union members have the right to elect their leaders.