State and Citizenship – Ancient India
Chapter – 4
- The relationship between the state and the citizen is a crucial topic, historically discussed by few Western political thinkers like Aristotle.
- Since the rise of democracy over the last two centuries, modern writers examine the mutual rights and responsibilities of the state and citizens, exploring potential conflicts and their resolutions.
- Ancient Indian political thinkers paid little attention to this issue, focusing instead on the duties of the state rather than the rights of citizens.
- Hindu constitutional writers describe the state’s duties, inferring citizens’ rights from these duties, with limited systematic discussion of rights.
- European writers analyze the relationship from a secular and constitutional perspective, often viewing the state as hostile to individual rights.
- Ancient Hindu writers viewed political duties as part of dharma, assuming minimal conflict between state and citizen, with the state promoting the progress and happiness of individuals.
- The absence of a state would result in a law of the jungle, highlighting the state’s importance for individual welfare.