STRATEGY AND WAR IN KAUTILYA’S VISION. TOPICALITY REFLECTIONS
STRATEGY AND WAR IN KAUTILYA’S VISION. TOPICALITY REFLECTIONS

Author(s): Florin Stafi
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences, Security and defense, Military policy, Political behavior, Peace and Conflict Studies
Published by: Carol I National Defence University Publishing House
Keywords: strategy; state; political objectives; war;
Summary/Abstract: A true compendium of great strategy, Kautilya’s Arthashastra gives us a complete picture of the state leadership that transcends time, presenting us, with a perfect political realism, the art and science of government, diplomacy and war. The center of its strategy is the state's power in all its forms, as well as the means by which it can be acquired,maintained and expanded.For Kautilya, the war is viewed in the strategic context of alliances, providing the political decision maker with the necessary instrument for internal well-being, expanding the influence at the macro level, balancing the equilibrium of regional power, allowing it to achieve political goals. Arthashastra is a leader’s art and science, its guide through which he can provide protection against internal and external threats, law enforcement, border security and economic progress. Peace or war are only “state of facts” imposed by social pyramid needs,the national interest being the supreme goal of politics.

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