Kautilya's Arthashastra: an intellectual portrait

More about the book

India is emerging as a significant power in a multipolar world, and this book highlights the country's unique political ideas and strategic thinking that fuel this ascent. Central to these ideas is Kautilya's Arthashastra, a foundational text of political science and a premodern treatise on statecraft. Despite its importance, Kautilya has often been overlooked in political science and international relations, frequently reduced to the label of the 'Indian Machiavelli,' which fails to capture his profound contributions. Kautilya, a contemporary of Aristotle, offers insights that can be more aptly compared to Aristotle's works. Influential figures in Western political theory, such as Max Weber and Hans J. Morgenthau, have acknowledged Kautilya's significance. However, in South Asia, he remains largely absent from mainstream academic discourse and public life. Nonetheless, India's institutions and processes are deeply rooted in the political heritage articulated in the Arthashastra. The book explores themes like the 'modernity of tradition' and the 're-use of the past' to address contemporary political challenges, illustrating how these concepts contribute to the resilience and stability of India's hybrid political institutions and democratic system.