Description
Book SynopsisThe First Great Political Realist is a succinct and penetrating analysis of one of the ancient world''s foremost political realists, Kautilya. Kautilya''s 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. Roger Boesche''s excellent commentary on Kautilya''s voluminous text draws out the essential realist arguments for modern political analysis and demonstrates the continued relevance of Kautilya''s work to modern Indian strategic thinking and our understanding of the relationship between politics and economics. Striking a balance between textual analysis and secondary scholarship, Boesche''s work will be an enduring contribution to the study of ancient Indian history, Eastern political thought, and international relations.
Trade ReviewThis is a valuable and insightful study of one of the world's neglected classics of political philosophy. Boesche is to be commended for bringing Kautilya's masterpiece to the attention of the Western reader. -- Brian K. Smith, University of California, Riverside
Table of ContentsPart 1 Introduction Chapter 2 Historical Background Chapter 3 A Science of Politics for a King Chapter 4 The Spy State Chapter 5 The Economy: A Socialist Monarchy Chapter 6 Foreign Policy and War Chapter 7 Power, Advancement, and a Theory of History Part 8 Conclusion
