Perspectives on Political Order: East and West

Book Details

• Author: Ramashray Roy

• Publisher: Rawat Publications

• Language: English

• Edition: 2013

• ISBN: 9788131605967

• Pages: 328

• Cover: Hardcover

• Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches

About the Book

In an age where good governance is widely debated but poorly implemented, this seminal work by Ramashray Roy offers a deep and comparative investigation into what constitutes an ideal political order. The book, Perspectives on Political Order: East and West, critically engages with the question—what kind of governance ensures genuine human development and societal welfare?

Roy argues that only a political order rooted in benign and principled governance can regulate public life effectively and deter corruption among politicians and bureaucrats. Without such a system, good governance becomes a matter of chance, vulnerable to the whims of power and passing ideologies.

The book identifies and examines three major genres of political order—Liberal, Platonic, and Vedic—offering a rich philosophical discourse on each. It further broadens the scope with a comparative look at the Chinese concept of order, bringing added depth to the Eastern versus Western paradigm of governance and statecraft.

Chapter Highlights Include:

• Passion, Ethics and Order: A profound exploration of the ethical foundations of governance

• Reconstructing the Vedic Vision: A revival of ancient Indian wisdom in modern political thought

• The Philosopher and the King: Revisiting the Platonic ideal of philosopher-kings

• Dharma, Society and Political Order: Linking spiritual duty with civic responsibility

• State as Surrogate of Order: An examination of the modern state's role in social cohesion

Written in an accessible yet scholarly tone, the book serves as a bridge between philosophy, political science, and governance, making it relevant to students, academics, political thinkers, civil servants, and activists alike.

About the Author

Ramashray Roy was a globally respected political philosopher with a Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley. Founder and former Director of the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS), Delhi, he has held leadership roles at the Indian Council of Social Science Research and was affiliated with international institutions such as the United Nations University, Tokyo. A recipient of the Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru National Award (1993), Roy authored over four dozen books and contributed widely to national and international academic journals. His areas of expertise include Indian politics, bureaucracy, Gandhian thought, Vedic philosophy, and development studies.

This book is a testament to his enduring legacy and intellectual rigor, offering fresh perspectives for creating a just, ethical, and sustainable political order.