Political Philosophy of Kautilya: The Arthashastra and After

Political Philosophy of Kautilya: The Arthashastra and After offers a critical analysis of ideas and institutions as described in the ancient political economy text Arthashastra. It discusses the contributions of pre-Kautilyan, Kautilyan and post-Kautilyan political thought to the evolution and development of political theory, in general, and the impact and influence of Kautilya’s contributions, in particular. The book examines Kautilya’s theory of state, power, law and justice, administration, security, society and social well-being.

This book examines the nature of the Kautilyan state and argues that it followed the principles of a ‘welfare state’, a concept coined much later. It talks about the relationship between moralism and realism in the treatment of international relations. It highlights Kautilyan strategies in dealing with a hostile environment in the neighbourhood and beyond, which will be particularly interesting to scholars of contemporary international relations.