The arthashastra is a book of political realism

Arthashastrabook x wikisource, the free online library. Roger boesche describes the arthasastra as a book of political realism, a book analysing how the political world does work and not very often stating how it ought to work, a book that frequently discloses to a king what calculating and sometimes brutal measures he must carry out to preserve the state and the common good. Caro it has been repeated that the president lyndon b. E, some eighteen hundred years prior to niccolo machiavellis the prince, considered to be the quintessential text on political realism. Political realism internet encyclopedia of philosophy. Most international relations scholars treat his arthashastra as a treatise of unvarnished realism in this third episode of war rooms special series on great strategists, larry goodson presents the writings of kautilya, who is lesser known to military audiences that clausewitz or sun tzu. From sun tzu to jomini, military philosophers have endlessly discussed the topic. The arthashastra is one of the earliest works of political realism to have been written, along with sun tzus the art of war and thucydides history of the peloponnesian war and is perhaps the most elaborate of these. Realism is often associated with realpolitik, as both deal with the pursuit, possession, and application of power. The first great political realist is a succinct and penetrating analysis of one of the ancient worlds foremost political realists, kautilya.

It is a book detailing how to manage a kingdom, or basically it deals with the art of government and politics. In his book, politics among nations 1948, morgenthau presented his theory of political realism, which was the basis of study of international politics for over two decades. The book is divided into 15 books each detailing different situations and different descriptions and solutions. The classical realism was followed by neorealism, under the leadership of kenneth waltz. The book itself is doesnt solely focus on political issues, but talks about statecraft, economy, military stragety and other topics. The arthashastra of kautilya is one of the most impressive books that i have read in the recent years. Boesche, roger 2002, the first great political realist. Jan 06, 2012 kautilyas arthashastra book i, concerning discipline chapter i. Kautilya was the minister in the kingdom of chandragupta maurya during 317 293 b. The arthashastra is an extraordinarily detailed manuscript on statecraft, and is considered to be the.

Employing a new analytic approach to reexamine their political thought, i locate unidentified tensions and overlaps between machiavellis. Realpolitik, however, is an older prescriptive guideline limited to policymaking, while realism is a wider theoretical and methodological paradigm to describe, explain, and predict events in international relations. Kautilya, the machiavelli of india education today news. Kautilya is considered the first great political realist. The arthashastra summarizes the political thoughts of kautilya. Nov 15, 2010 this is owing to his treatise on the science of politics, the arthashastra, written about 300 b. Arthashastra backs rational ethic to the conduct of the affairs of the state. Roger boesche describes the arthasastra as a book of political realism, a book analysing how the political world does work and not very often stating how it ought to work, a book that frequently discloses to a king what calculating and sometimes brutal measures he. In the center of the village, an outcaste person may whip such women five shatra on each of the sides of their body. Roger boesche describes the arthasastra as a book of political realism, a book.

The arthashastra totally contains 5363 sutras, 15 books, 150 chapters, and 180 sections. Political realism is a theory of political philosophy that attempts to explain, model, and prescribe political relations. Kautilya was a key advisor to chandragupta maurya 317293 bc, who defeated the nanda kings, stopped the advance of alexander the greats successors, and was the first ruler to unite the indian. Kautilya and nonwestern ir theory by deepshikha shahi. Written in the 4th century before christ by kautilya, also known as chanakya, the arthashastra is one of the earliest works of political realism to have been written, along with sun tzus the art of war and machiavellis the prince. This book is basically a collection of 380 shlokas which have been written in prose. Rangarajan the arthashastra is an ancient indian treatise on statecraft, economic policy and military strategy, written in sanskrit. However, if we carefully examine some of the literature after the second urbanisation emergence of the janapads of the subcontinent we find a lot of material which tells us that ancient indian writers were not devoid of the capability of writing treatises on.

This arthasastra is made as a compendium of almost all the. Kautilyas arthashastra and machiavellis the prince found in even the most ancient accounts of war and diplomacy, military treatise are systematic expositions on the proper conduct of war and peace and in what way both can be successfully administered. The book arthashastra written by trautmann speaks on the balance between politics and business they had during mauryas time. Sep 09, 2019 the arthashastra is one of the earliest works of political realism to have been written, along with sun tzus the art of war and thucydides history of the peloponnesian war and is perhaps the most elaborate of these. May 01, 2020 kautilyas work arthashastra belongs to the tradition of dandashasra. The 15 books contained in the arthashastra can be classified in the following manner. While it is true that is offers views on how a kingruler shall act in order to overcome obstables it is just so much more. Kautilyas work arthashastra belongs to the tradition of dandashasra. Kautilyas arthasastra, written around 300 bc, is a text on statecraft, a book of political realism. The book is a masterwork which includes an array of topics like statecraft, politics, strategy, selection and training of employees, leadership skills, legal systems, accounting systems, taxation, fiscal policies, civil rules, internal and foreign trade etc.

It is considered as the most comprehensive treatise on statecraft of classical times. The text of the arthashastra is divided into fifteen books that discuss a variety of military, political and economic subjects. This treatise discusses the ethics of economics and the duties and obligations of a king. Buy arthashastra book online at low prices in india. Jan 29, 2015 the arthashastra is indeed a masterpiece of statecraft, diplomacy, and strategy and is an example of nonwestern literature that should be read as part of the realist canon. The arthashastra is an ancient indian treatise on statecraft, economic policy and military strategy, written into 15 books, 150 chapters and 180 topics. Book 1, as a book on fundamentals of management, book 2 dealing with economics, books 3, 4 and 5 on law, books 6, 7, 8 describes foreign policies. Chanakya arthashastra pdf in hindi, english, sanskrit all. Book overview written in the 4th century before christ by kautilya, also known as chanakya, the arthashastra is one of the earliest works of political realism to have been written, along with sun tzus the art of war and machiavellis the prince. Book xiii, strategic means to capture a fortress chapter i. This book was lost for many centuries until a copy of it, written on palm leaves, was rediscovered in india in 1904 ce. Roger boesche describes the arthasastra as a book of political realism, a book analysing how the political world does work and not very often stating how it ought to work, a book that frequently discloses to a king what calculating and sometimes.

Kautilyas arthashastra and machiavellis the prince. Since the rediscovery of the ancient indian political thinker kautilya and his arthasastra in the early twentieth century, scholars have argued for similarities between his political thinking and machiavellis, especially on the topic of realism. This is owing to his treatise on the science of politics, the arthashastra, written about 300 b. Distinguishing history from myth, arthashastra revealed the existence of a wellestablished tradition of political realism in ancient india. Arthasastra is an ancient indian treatise on statecraft, economic policy and military strategy which identifies its author by the names kautilya and vi. A study in theories and realities6 shahi writes that kautilyas. The author cites and quotes many passages from kautilyas book arthashastra in connection with his analysis and discussion of kautilyas political and economic.

Found in even the most ancient accounts of war and diplomacy, military treatise are systematic expositions on the proper conduct of war and peace and in what way both can be successfully administered. The arthashastra a treatise on statecraft and military strategy. Hence by overthrowing the aggregate of the six enemies lust, anger, greed, vanity, haughtiness, and overjoy, he shall restrain the organs of sense. Arthashastra is a seminal treatise on political realism. This arthasastra is made as a compendium of almost all thearthasastras, which, in view of acquisition and maintenance of theearth, have been composed by ancient teachers. Kangle is a reproduction of the original text in sanskrit language primary source. It includes books on the nature of government, law, civil and criminal court systems, ethics, economics, markets and trade, the methods for screening ministers, diplomacy, theories on war, nature of peace, and the duties. This arthashastra is primarily a book of political realism where state is paramount and king shall carry out duties as advised in his book to preserve his state. Kautilyas treatise arthashastra stands as one of the great political books of the ancient world, its ideas on the science of politics strikingly similar to those of. Kautilyas arthashastra 3 book i, concerning discipline chapter i. Kautilyas work is primarily a book of political realism where state is paramount and king shall carry out duties as advised in his book to preserve his state kenneth, 1987. Its starstudded castlist ensures that no angle of the subject is left uncovered.

Diplomacy and war including military tactics are the two points treated. Arthashastra academic dictionaries and encyclopedias. A succinct analysis of one of the ancient worlds foremost political realists, kautilya. The arthashastra refers to a practice of political diplomacy that arose in india, and is epitomized by the written material on position, policy and military strategy written by kautilya. It takes as its assumption that power is or ought to be the primary end of political action, whether in the domestic or international arena. Kautilya was an academician at taxila university and later the prime minister of the mauryan empire. Kautilyas work is primarily a book of political realism where. Oct 14, 2000 the book also speaks a great deal about economics.

On a site declared to be the best according to the science of buildings, the leader nayaka, the carpenter vardhaki, and the astrologer mauhurtika should measure a circular, rectangular, or square spot for the camp which should, in accordance with the available space, consist of four gates, six roads, and nine. The underlying basis of the arthashastras prescriptions is the notion that reasons of state justify various actions and policies. Elaborate is an apt description, given that the treatise describes all sorts of weird and wonderful ways in which seditious. Arthashastra as science of politicaleconomy the substance of mankind is termed artha wealth, the earth that contains and is termed artha wealth. The mauryan empire was larger than the later british india which.

It is divided into 15 different sections for the better understanding of the readers. The arthashastra is an indian book or a treatise that details the right qualities of a good king and how to achieve this state. It deals with various topics including war and diplomacy, how a king can retain his kingdom and become a conqueror, how to make allies and. Christopher hill, university of cambridge, uk realism and world politicsis a critical but appreciative analysis of waltzs. Jan 21, 2012 in this context, boesches concise introductory book on kautilya also called chanakya, a famous indian strategist, is a most welcome contribution. For kautilya, military strategy was an integral part of the science of polity27 and he made. Rich with contrarian insights and fresh thinking, political realism is an eyeopening challenge to todays conventional wisdom about what ails american government and politics. Ethics, politics and statecraft very clearly in his book called arthashastra. Kautilyas treatise arthashastra stands as one of the great political books of the ancient world, its ideas on the science of politics strikingly. Kautilyas work is primarily a book of political realism where state is.

The title arthashastra is often translated to the science of politics, but the book arthashastra has a broader scope. It deals with various topics including war and diplomacy, how a king can retain his kingdom and become a conqueror, how to make allies and know the enemies, and how to make treaties. Kautilyas treatise arthashastra stands as one of the great political books of the ancient world, its ideas on the science of politics strikingly similar to those of thucydides, machiavelli, hobbes, clausewitz, and even sun tzu. The entire book has about 5,300 sentences on politics, governance, welfare, economics, protecting key. In this context, boesches concise introductory book on kautilya also called chanakya, a famous indian strategist, is a most welcome contribution. John herz in his seminal work, political realism and political idealism. It is argued that the discussions in the arthashastra generally end by stating the authors opinion with the words. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. The book itself is a very dry read, at least it was to me. Mar 04, 2018 the arthashastra summary the western world generally assumes that ancient indian literature lacked in strategic thinking. Arthashastra deals in detail with the qualities and disciplines required for a kautilya says that artha sound economies is the most.

Kautilyas treatise arthashastra stands as one of the great political books of the ancient world, its ideas on the science of politics strikingly similar to those of thucydides, machiavelli, hobbes, clausewitz, and even. Comparisons to the harsher variants of realism were perhaps inevitable, though as will. When the conqueror is desirous of seizing an enemys village, he should infuse enthusiastic spirit among his own men and frighten his enemys people by giving publicity to his power of omniscience and close association with gods. The arthashastra is indeed a masterpiece of statecraft, diplomacy, and strategy and is an example of nonwestern literature that should. The arthashastra is the title of a handbook for running an empire, written by after the time of kautilya, but the main ideas in this book are largely his.

Arthashastra is a guide for rulers on how to successfully govern a state. Arthashastrabook xiii wikisource, the free online library. If house of cards frank underwood had a favorite book. Kautilyas treatise arthashastra stands as one of the great political books of the ancient world, its ideas on the science of politics strikingly similar to those of thucydides, machiavelli, hobbes, clausewitz, and even sun tsu. The book speaks pros and cons of mudiyarasu authoritarian and kudiyarasu power distributed and how they managed to keep foods in stock to tackle during drought time. Arthashastrabook i wikisource, the free online library. The arthashastra is apparently one of the first books on political theory and was written in the 3rd century bc. Johnson was a great inspiration for the frank underwood. However it also discusses dharma and we see the continuity between manu and kautilya. Nielsen book data summary a succinct analysis of one of the ancient worlds foremost political realists, kautilya. He has been considered as one of the shrewdest ministers of the times and has explained his views on state, war, social structures, diplomacy, ethics, politics and statecraft very clearly in his book called arthashastra. This edition is dated to approximately 250 ce, many centuries after the time of kautilya, but the main ideas in this book are largely his. Apr 27, 2019 written in the 4th century before christ by kautilya, also known as chanakya, the arthashastra is one of the earliest works of political realism to have been written, along with sun tzus the art of war and machiavellis the prince.