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"This book examines in detail the strategic relevance of the Arthashastra. Attributed to the fourth century BCE, this classical treatise on state and statecraft rests at the intersection of political theory and international relations. Adopting a hermeneutic approach, the book discusses certain homologies related to concepts such as power, order, and morality. Underlining the conceptual value of the Arthashastra and classical texts such as Hitopdesha and Pancatantra, this volume highlights the non-western perspectives related to diplomacy and statecraft. It shows how a comparative analysis of these texts reveal a continuity rather than a change in the styles, tactics and political strategies. The book also showcases the value these ancient texts can bring to the study of contemporary international relations and political theory. This volume will be of interest to students, scholars and teachers of political studies, Indian political thought, and philosophy, South Asian studies, political theory and international relations"--

Going beyond the binaries of Western and non-Western, this article lays out a conceptual–analytical frame for understanding 'order' in international relations (IR). What does 'order' mean? What are its key characteristics? How is the conventional 'Western' understanding different from or similar to the understanding advanced in Arthashastra? These are some questions that this article seeks to address. The article picks up the discussion on English School of IR, juxtaposing it with Kautilya's Arthashastra. The indicators chosen for this more revisionist interpretation of the text are 'operative principles', 'code of conduct' and 'structures'. It is argued that the Kautilyan concept of order is broadly normative whereby norms were stipulated by the dharmashastras. Thus, underlining the distinct cultural and contextual undertones, the article emphasises that the normative underpinnings of 'order' in Arthashastra have to be read within the existing philosophical frames of the Hindu tradition. The cognitive–cultural frame of understanding orders perhaps best suits the purpose.

The Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) is a protracted struggle of more than three decades against large dams. While the movement has been a witness to various highs and lows, some key lessons nevertheless can be deducted by analysing its overall successes and failures. Arguments presented in this article are based on the assumption that 'domestic mobilisation is one of the main strategies in shaping political will amongst state actors'. It argues that while transnational advocacy can help build consensus or appreciation towards critical developmental issues at the international level, domestic mobilisation or consensus amongst key stakeholders is perhaps the pre-requisite for influencing state response. The article is divided into three broad sections. The first section focuses on the history of the NBA. The genesis, nature and the role played by the movement in broadening the debate on dams with respect to development is studied. The second section deals with the internationalisation of the issue of large dams, when the NBA came to be known as a strong opponent of large dams. Based on the insights of the struggle in the third section some pointers are offered for social movements towards effectively shaping state behaviour on social and development issues.