Kautilya’s Arthashastra and Contemporary Statecraft: Policy Lessons for Modern Governance

Abstract

“Arthshastra” written by Kautilya aka Chanakya, is one of the initially and systematically written books in Indian Knowledge System. This work written in fourth BC, presents a huge framework of political authority, administrative organization, diplomacy, public welfare, intelligence, and economic management. This paper conceptually examines the continuity between the ruling system of Kautilya and modern governance structure. This study highlights the structural similarities between ancient and modern political system with the help of analysis of SAPTANG theory, Fiscal administration, Mandala theory of foreign policy and institutional accountability. This paper considering the differences between monarchy and democratic context, explains the relevance of economic power, strategic diplomacy, institutional discipline and welfare orientation. This study places “Arthshastra” under comparative political theory, and highlights its immense contribution to understand modern statecraft in global context.