The Political Institutions and Theories of the Hindus: A Study in Comparative Politics c12.s2.3

c12.s2.3

But already we are in a position to conclude, first, that despotism is not the sole message of the East, and secondly, that the West also has been the prolific parent of despotism. On the other hand, the democratic elements in the Oriental polities must not be interpreted too liberally so as to imply the "referendum", the "initiative", "gildsocialism" and so forth of the latest constitutional developments.⁵