Abstract
The chapter attempts to analyze the concepts of power and authority from South Asian perspectives, with primary emphasis on ideas and theories relating to governance models from the perspectives of Hinduism and Islam. The essence and basis of the moral state, according to ancient Indian Hindu philosophy, depends on the triangle of those actions for governance which are undertaken for universal welfare, maintaining and protecting each and everyone in the creation, and securing universal care for all. The Islamic system of governance, which is based on Quran and Sunnah, provides a broader conceptual and moral understanding and includes guidelines for rulers and the ruled. The Islamic perspective emphasizes universalism, the supremacy of Shariah (Islamic law), and the fusion or limited separation of powers. South Asian governance practices appear to reflect values of the two dominant religions of the region.
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- 1.
Castes are hereditary systems of rank, usually religiously dictated, that tend to be fixed and immobile. The caste system is generally associated with Hinduism in India and other countries. In India there are four major castes, (Brahmin, Khaitriya, Baisay, Shudro) called varnas.
- 2.
Danda literally means stick. It is an important political term in Hindu philosophy, representing the idea of the coercive power of the state.
- 3.
The Manusmriti (Sanskrit), translated Smriti of Manu is regarded as an important work of Hindu law and ancient society, written 2000 B.C. in India. It is one of the eighteen smiritis of the Dharmasastra; and is a part of the smriti literature. It contains laws, rules and codes of conduct to be applied by individuals, communities and nations.
- 4.
‘The Crooked’;(also called Vishnu-Gupta and Chanakya); he was prime minister of the Maurya, emperor of Chandragupta (321–296 B.C.), and reputed author of Arthasastra (Prasoon 2008, p. 19).
- 5.
Arthasastra is the Hindu ‘science of polity’. The most famous textbook on the subject is the Kautilya Arthasastra, of which a manuscript was found in 1909.
- 6.
Individual terms distinguish between those Ahadith considered to rightfully attributed to their source or which detail the faults of those of dubious provenance.
- 7.
Ahadith consists of all the authentic reports of the acts, utterances and silent approval of the Prophet. These are mostly recorded in the six authentic collections which are termed as Sahih (authentic) Ahadith. These Ahadith are one of the principle sources of Shariah or Islamic rulings.
- 8.
Four rulers who ruled after the death of the Prophet. The tenure of these four rulers is termed the golden age of Islamic ruling. These four rulers are Abu Bakar, Umar, Usman, and Ali.
- 9.
Ummah is a unique concept having no equivalent term in the Western languages. The deciding basis for Ummah is neither race, language, history, nor any combination of them, nor is it determined by geographical considerations. Ummah transcends race, language, and geography. It is a universal order enclosing the entire collectivity of Muslims inhabiting the globe, united by the bond of one strong and comprehensive ideology of Islam.
- 10.
Even though the Islamic thinkers have a consensus about the necessity of Imamah, they disagree as to the reason for its necessity. IbnKhaldun argues that there is a natural propensity inherent in people which drives them to cooperate with their fellow creatures for common well-being and happiness. This common welfare cannot be attained without a social order, and the latter requires some authority to direct it.
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Haque, S. (2015). Theories of Governance: South Asian Perspective. In: Jamil, I., Aminuzzaman, S., Haque, S. (eds) Governance in South, Southeast, and East Asia. Public Administration, Governance and Globalization, vol 15. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-15218-9_3
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