The Political Institutions and Theories of the Hindus: A Study in Comparative Politics c15.9

c15.9

It is not intended here to apply this “right of interpretation” to the doctrine of *saptâmga* or to the other auxiliary doctrines of the *nîti-śâstras*, whether from the conservative, liberal, or radical view-point. Only a few dicta are being gleaned at random from the texts bearing on the *theory* of the constitution, without any comment as to its impact, if any, on *Realpolitik*. These would be enough, however, to bring out, first, that if man is a “political animal”, he is equally so in the East and in the West, both in ancient and modern times, in spite of the differences created by steam, electricity, and air-navigation, and secondly, that notwithstanding the diversity of technical terminology, it is well-nigh impossible to distinguish the methods and results of Hindu Aristotles, Senecas, Alcuins, and Hobbeses from those of their western colleagues.