Philosophy of Governance :- Chanakya VS Aristotle VS Plato.

Greetings beloved readers.

The only thing that separates humans and beasts is the social structure we live in. Isn't it?

Imagine this. When we leave 100 buffaloes alone somewhere, they are just 100 buffaloes. But when we leave 100 humans alone somewhere, they are one community - A community which posseses a combined strength. With that combined strength, that 100 humans will form an entire social structure consisting of equality, justice, collective development and what not!


This is the human nature.
Our ability to live in a society under a governing power makes us who we are. We know how to manage ourselves as a group, how to live on depending eachother, yet live freely and joyfully.

Therefore we conclude, where there are humans, there exists a group, a society, and where there is a society, there exists some sort of governance philosophy on which that society works. Just think for a moment, what will be left of us if we remove all the ideals, laws and these vitalities on which we live? Nothing but a forest of brutes!

So, it is the governance that does all the magic. Just governance? Nay, but good governance.


This idea of providing 'good' governance for the people has been in existence since ancient time. The concept of welfare state has been dealt by a number of world-renowned philosophers including Chanakya to Plato and Aristotle.

The government is understood to bring the happiness and for the welfare of its subjects. In a democratic setup, it can also be associated with efficient and effective administration. So such an administration should be development oriented and committed to the welfare of the people.

So in today's blog, we will dive into the ideologies of Chanakya, Plato and Aristotle on good governance.

1. Chanakya on Good Governance.

Chanakya in his Arthashastra, elaborating on the traits possessed by the king of a welfare state, stated that the happiness of the king lies with the happiness of his subjects, their welfare is his welfare, he should not act for his own pleasure but for the pleasure of his subjects.


Thus, "The King' is just a title given to the one who governs, this titular role is thought to be the brain of the government and the people, who are governed, are considered to be the heart of the government. The ultimate role of the king is, therefore to govern for the welfare of his people. Kautilya mentions the following imperatives of good governance of a king:

a. Guide the administration effectively.

b. Take the middle path, avoiding the extremes without missing the goal.

c. Maintain law and order of the state.

d. Pay fixed salary and emoluments to the public servants.

c. Lay emphasis on the writers.

 f. Lead a disciplined life with morality and ethics.

g. Merge his individual personality with his duty.

h. Display administrative qualities.

i. Carry out strong measures against corrupt officials.

 j. Replace bad ministers with good ones.

2. Plato on Good Governance.

Plato is credited with creating the Philosopher King as an Ideal ruler. Plato believes that conflict ing values in various part of the society can be harmonised. The rational and righteous political order as suggested by Plato leads to harmonious unity of society where every part flourishes, without the expense of the other. Such a political realisation is not possible without virtue. Plato in his book Republic calls for the rule a Philosopher King.


The following are the important aspects of a Philosopher King theory as dealt by Plato :-

a. The Philosopher king can be men or women.

b. Only the bright, stable and courageous people are chosen to be a king. Special intensive training should be provided to them covering a wide area ranging from music, gymnastics to military aspects and city management.

c. They should be imparted knowledge of being just, noble, good and advantageous.

 d. Goodness is not just a concept but it is the ultimate state of their mind.

e. The aim of the rulers should be to spread happiness throughout the city by getting people close together in harmony.

f. An ideal state is not governed for private gain and is free from any civil strife.

 g. The philosophers rule out of necessity and not for their benefit or pleasure. Hence, they should not have any attachment to the process of ruling and the power associated with it.

h. According to Plato, freedom is one of the important values of the society. Apart from this, other values include wisdom, courage, justice, moderation and friendship.

i. The underlying idea of governance by philosophers is based on the idea of welfare.

j. Philosophers rule calls for impartial and equal treatment of all citizens and social groups and the government exists for the benefit of all the group of citizens.

3. Aristotle on Good Governance.

Aristotle can be considered to be the first person to deal with the term 'governance' when he classified political organisation based on the manner they are ruled as Dictatorship, Autocracy and finally Democracy.


In his book Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle describes that only when man lives with virtue, he can live a happy life as intended by the nature. In his other book Politics, he describes the role to be played by politicians and the political community in bringing about the life of virtue in the citizenry. Some of the important aspects dealt by Aristotle are as follows:

a. The end or purpose of politics is the best of the ends. And the main objective of politics should be to stimulate a particular character among the citizens of the state and to make them better beings who are prepared and willing to perform noble actions.

b. Aristotle calls for the citizens to directly participate in the assembly not just by voting for their representatives, but deliberately and willingly serve in the juries to help uphold the laws. So that the citizens can become part of a group which discusses the good and the bad, the advantage advantageous and the disadvantageous, the just and the unjust and finally come to a decision and pass laws accordingly.

c. The state should exist for developing the virtue of its citizens. Those who are the most virtuous are fit to rule according to Aristotle; and they will be the best rulers, on behalf of citizens, instituting laws which lead to a virtuous life.

 d. According to Aristotle, no regime can exist if the laws do not rule them.

e. Every human life has a telos or purpose according to Aristotle. The purpose and function of the political community is to provide education and laws that will lead people to pursue and and achieve their telos.

f.  Aristotle calls for proper and effective education be provided to the young and it should be the main object of the legislator. Education should be same for all and common and should not be made privatized. The aim of education should be to empower the students to serve the common good of the city.

How optimistic and idealistic these fellows sound. If only they knew what's the plight of politics and governance in this modern world :(


Nevertheless, there will always be a thing called idealism and another thing called realism.

Our work, the real work, will always be to fill the gap between those two words.

Thanks,
Daksh Parekh. 

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