Social & Political Implications of Concepts of Justice & Dharma: A Comparative Study with Special Reference to the "Republic" and "Shantiparva" (An Old and Rare Book)

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The similarity between social and political ideas of Plato and ancient Indian thinkers always attracted the attention of the scholars because both the traditions furnished identical ideo- logical tools to solve the problems of stability and integrity of their societies. Plato and Bhishma in Shantiparva sought to do this by using the concepts of Justice and Dharma to regulate social change and to integrate different classes of society. They held that the institute of state played an important role in attaining both social goal and the individual salvation. They agreed that politics should play an important role in attaining higher moral ends as the statesman should not stand for self- aggrandisement but he must perform disinterested action. It is interesting to note that both the traditions encour- aged moral heroism against tyranny within the limits of class society. In the age of relativism, they advocated the cause of morality.

Present work is a comprehensive com- parative study of concepts of Justice and Dharma in the light of their social and political implications. It is one of the first efforts to critically examine these concepts in the light of their own historical settings. The author adopts a bold theoretical stand projecting specifically Indian stand and analyses both the concepts with clinical detatchment. The study is important not only from the perspective of Indian political science, but also from that of the emerging global political science.

Dr. Ashok Chousalkar (born 1950) after obtaining his M.A. and Ph.D. Degree from University of Bombay in 1973 and 1979 respectively joined the Depart- ment of Politics, Shivaji University, Kolhapur as a lecturer. At present he is serving in that University as a Reader in Politics.

Dr. Chousalkar has many articles and research papers to his credit in English and Marathi. His publications and researches are concerned with ancient Indian political thought, modern Indian political thoughts, comparative political theory and politics Maharashtra. Recently, he completed a monograph on the concept of rebellion as enunciated in Kautilya's Arthashastra and Aristole's Politics.

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