Theory of Government in Ancient India (Post-Vedic) c6.182

c6.182

It is remarkable that Bhīṣma puts his finger on internal dissensions as the besetting malady of republics. It reminds one of the "stasis" which Aristotle deplored in Hellenic states. Yudhiṣṭhira’s interrogations point to another great difficulty in the way of republics. It was difficult to keep secrets among the many. The remedy lay in trusting the executive.