Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, a German idealist philosopher of the early 19th century, developed a highly influential theory of the state within the framework of his broader philosophical system, especially in his work Philosophy of Right (1820). Hegel’s view of the state is deeply embedded in his dialectical method and idealist metaphysics. He saw the…
Tag: history
Burke’s critique of Natural Rights and Social Contract
Edmund Burke (1729–1797), an Irish statesman, political theorist, and philosopher, is often regarded as the founding figure of modern conservatism. His most influential work, Reflections on the Revolution in France (1790), offers a scathing critique of the French Revolution and the radical political philosophies that underpinned it, particularly the ideas of natural rights and the…
Tocqueville’s Views on Religion
Alexis de Tocqueville (1805–1859) was a French political thinker, historian, and sociologist who is best known for his work, Democracy in America (1835–1840). In this seminal work, Tocqueville provides a comprehensive analysis of the political and social structures of the United States in the early 19th century. Among the various themes explored in Democracy in…
Linguistic Minorities
Linguistic minorities refer to groups of people who speak a language that is different from the majority language of the region or the nation they live in. In India, the linguistic diversity is immense, with more than 1,600 languages spoken across the country. The Constitution of India recognizes this diversity and provides protection for linguistic…
Pattern of State Politics in the 1970s
The 1970s were a transformative decade for state politics in India, marked by significant political upheaval, regional challenges, and a shift towards greater political fragmentation. The decade witnessed a breakdown of the dominance of the Congress Party, the rise of new political forces, and regional movements that reshaped the political landscape. 1. Dominance of Congress…
Chhattisgarh Mukti Morcha (CMM)
The Chhattisgarh Mukti Morcha (CMM) was a prominent social movement and political organization in the state of Chhattisgarh that played a critical role in the demand for the creation of a separate state from Madhya Pradesh. The movement was largely driven by the tribal and rural communities of the region, who felt politically and economically…
John Locke’s Conception of the State of Nature and Natural Rights
John Locke (1632–1704), one of the foremost liberal political philosophers of the Enlightenment, laid a strong foundation for modern democratic thought through his theory of natural rights and the state of nature. In contrast to Hobbes’ pessimistic vision, Locke painted a more optimistic picture of human beings in the state of nature and emphasized their…
Why is Niccolò Machiavelli regarded as the father of Modern Political Thought?
Why Niccolò Machiavelli is Regarded as the Father of Modern Political Thought Niccolò Machiavelli (1469–1527), an Italian diplomat and political theorist, is often hailed as the father of modern political thought because of his realistic, secular, and power-oriented approach to politics. His most famous work, The Prince, diverged dramatically from the classical and medieval political…
Rabindranath Tagore’s Vision of Freedom
Rabindranath Tagore, one of the most celebrated figures in modern Indian literature and thought, had a profound and multifaceted vision of freedom. His ideas on freedom were shaped by his rich personal experiences, his philosophical background, and his exposure to both Eastern and Western intellectual traditions. Tagore’s vision of freedom was not confined to political…
M.N. Roy’s Views on Radical Humanism
M.N. Roy (Manabendra Nath Roy), a prominent intellectual and political leader in India during the early 20th century, developed a philosophical system known as Radical Humanism. As a Marxist revolutionary, he initially aligned with the Soviet communist ideology but later distanced himself, developing a distinctive political and philosophical outlook. His Radical Humanism became a key…
M.K. Gandhi’s Views on the Relationship between Religion and Politics
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, more popularly known as Mahatma Gandhi, was a pivotal figure in the Indian independence movement, and his views on religion and politics were central to his philosophy of non-violence (ahimsa) and truth (satya). Gandhi’s conception of the relationship between religion and politics was complex and multifaceted. Unlike many political leaders who sought…
E.V. Ramaswamy Naicker’s Critique of Hinduism and Brahmanical Domination
Erode Venkata Ramaswamy Naicker, popularly known as Periyar, was a pioneering social reformer, rationalist, and political thinker who played a foundational role in critiquing the caste-based inequalities and religious orthodoxy prevalent in Indian society, particularly in Tamil Nadu. Born in 1879, Periyar emerged as a key figure in the anti-caste and anti-Brahmanical movements of the…