State and Governance in Kautilya’s Arthaśāstra: A Non-Western Philosophical Perspective
Author(s): Dr. Gurdeep Kaur and Ankit Tomar
Abstract: Kautilya’s
Arthaśāstra, written in the fourth century BCE, is considered one of the most significant texts in the history of Indian civilisation. His book covers almost every aspect of administration in a monarchical state. According to Kautilya’s worldview, the ultimate purpose of every individual is the attainment of dharma (duty). Kautilya’s
Arthaśāstra provides insight into the ancient Indian corpus of political knowledge, including concepts of the state and statecraft. It is one of the most important political and strategic works, containing a set of ideas that will never go out of style. Such methods and concepts are significant, and they continue to be relevant in today’s time too. Several ideas from Kautilya’s
Arthaśāstra can be employed advantageously to gain long-term benefits. His
Arthaśāstra also address some of the major problems that many states are currently facing. Kautilya’s
Arthaśāstra offers advice to a wise king on how to advance the state’s national interests, which mainly centered on matters of glory, prosperity, and security. Three main goals of Kautilya are interwoven throughout the
Arthaśāstra. The first goal among the three is good governance which leads to good economy and subsequently supports the growth of overall territory. According to Kautilya, the goal of diplomacy is basically to consolidate and conquer the world.
The objective of the Kautilya’s diplomatic policy is to strengthen the state while weakening the opposition. To assist the leader in managing the transition from decline to stability and eventually to development or advancement, six fold foreign policy measures (sāḍguṇya niti) are suggested by Kautilya. The appropriate strategy depends on the balance of power, the strategic environment, and the dynamics of the political situation. Consequently, it has been concluded that the Arthaśāstra provides an original and comprehensive definition of political realism. According to Kautilya, war is the practical application of a state’s foreign policy. He advises the ruler on how to use national power to secure a lasting position in the world order, offering a detailed plan for achieving this goal.
DOI: 10.33545/26646021.2023.v5.i1e.359Pages: 380-387 | Views: 213 | Downloads: 15Download Full Article: Click Here
How to cite this article:
Dr. Gurdeep Kaur, Ankit Tomar.
State and Governance in Kautilya’s Arthaśāstra: A Non-Western Philosophical Perspective. Int J Political Sci Governance 2023;5(1):380-387. DOI:
10.33545/26646021.2023.v5.i1e.359
