Question

Compare and contrast between ancient western and indian political thought

Answer 1

 

 of ways, e.g., JosephSchumpeter’s Elitist Theory of Democracy was based on the assumption that a human beingtakes his economic life more seriously than the political one.

1.4Political Theory as Theoretical Political Science

The emergence of political science in the twentieth century has led to some politicalscientists to look upon political theory as a mere theoretical branch of the discipline. It ismore of an attempt made to understand the empirical structure of the society and its impact onthe individual surviving therein and hence, the world on the greater scale.6

 

CHAPTER 2

WESTERN POLITICAL THOUGHT

The pioneer of modern state was Machiavelli. The modern states are different fromancient Greek city-states, Janapadas (as in Indian political vocabulary), river valleycivilizations, and political organizations. Unlike the modern states, the ancient Greek city-states are more like city- community. The Roman used the term ‘

civitas

’ which means acommunity who enjoys full civil rights. But some political philosophers also justify theconcept of slave-master relationship. The concept of modern state is also seen to benonexistence for the greatest part of the middle ages. The modern state as defined anddesigned by Machiavelli, comes in a particular socioeconomic conditions. It comprises thespirit of nation state, trade and commerce, technological development and scientificinventions and discoveries.

3

Garner defines state as ‘a community of persons, more or less numerous, permanentlyoccupying a definite proportion of territory, independent or nearly so, of external control and possessing an organised government to which the great body of inhabitants render habitualobedience, 

Answer 2

Western political thought :

Political thought, or political philosophy, is the study of questions concerning power, justice, rights, law, and other issues pertaining to governance.

Whereas political science assumes that these concepts are what they are, political thought asks how they have come about and to what effect.

Indian political thought:

Modern Indian political thought is one of the fascinating areas of scholarly debates and discussions in contemporary India.

It also signifies a shift away from excessive reliance upon Eurocentric views, methods and concepts to study and interpret Indian society and its politics.