Description
Decolonizing International Relations (IR) demands contesting the Eurocentric underpinnings of the domain, and one substantial contribution to this initiative can be found in the Arthashastra, an ancient Indian text on statecraft by Kautilya. The Arthashastra provides a subtle comprehension of power, sovereignty, diplomacy, and governance beyond Western theories' narrow confines. Key concepts such as the use of danda (force) and dama (diplomacy) and the combination of economic and social strategies reflect a comprehensive strategy for statecraft. These ideas provide a clear divergence from Western Realist theories that prioritize military power while ignoring other forms of influence. Moreover, the Arthashastra brings forward the notion of Rajmandala (the circle of states), a model that visualizes international politics as a dynamic, interconnected matrix of states where power, coalitions, and rivalries are incessantly in flux. In contrast to the rigid, hierarchical frameworks in Western IR, Rajmandala stresses the fluidity of state conduct, acknowledging the adaptability of states to evolving geopolitical landscapes. This paper evaluates the propensity to idealize and associate Indian traditions too strongly with Western ideals and instead advocates a decolonial interpretation of the Arthashastra. By positioning its ideas within India’s traditional realities, it provides fresh insights to reconceptualize global politics, challenging the supremacy of Eurocentric IR theories and fostering a more diverse and inclusive comprehension of international relations.
