Fundamental difference between West and India lies in the understanding of the word "Politics"
Indian term : rAj-neeti (meaning - science of governing)
Politics in contrast means "on the affairs of a polis" (includes any debate that concerns society at large)
Indian term : rAj-neeti (meaning - science of governing)
Politics in contrast means "on the affairs of a polis" (includes any debate that concerns society at large)
Aristotle famously said -
"Man is a political animal"
Fundamentally men are inclined to politics. It involves "valuing" and "judging" the numerous aspects of society
It involves debate, valuing, and is not a science, leading to a "perfect answer"
"Man is a political animal"
Fundamentally men are inclined to politics. It involves "valuing" and "judging" the numerous aspects of society
It involves debate, valuing, and is not a science, leading to a "perfect answer"
Politics is eternal. Inherent in human condition.
Hence political parties are central to politics. You can't have one "right" party that has monopoly over truth.
That's the western view
Hence political parties are central to politics. You can't have one "right" party that has monopoly over truth.
That's the western view
Indian view regards politics as a technocratic discipline.
"Raj-neeti" implies there is an ideal science of governing.
And governance is omething that traditional texts like Arthashastra discuss at length
"Raj-neeti" implies there is an ideal science of governing.
And governance is omething that traditional texts like Arthashastra discuss at length
It does not entail "debate". Definitely not "perennial debate"
It does not embrace partisanship as a central feature.
It hopes to get to "solutions".
So fundamentally "raj-neeti" is an anti-political word
It does not embrace partisanship as a central feature.
It hopes to get to "solutions".
So fundamentally "raj-neeti" is an anti-political word
