Kautilya in Arthashastra puts the science of government and economics on a high pedestal as a precursor to Wilsonian and Weberian thought. Discuss.

Answer: It is essential to develop and understand the Science of Government and economics to nurture a stable and benevolent state.
Arthashastra considers that there are 4 necessary pillars of knowledge which are the source of all other knowledge, wealth and human prosperity. These include:

1. Philosophy of Sankhya /Sankhya Yoga
2. Philosophy of Vedas
3. Science of Government (Nyaya vs Anyaya)
4. Science of Economics (Artha vs destruction of wealth)
   Science of Government is necessary to understand it and run it with efficiency and moral principles, as without government, disorder rises as in the case of ‘Matsya Nyaya Mud Bhavati’(The law of the fish). In the absence of governance, the strong shall swallow the weak.
   Giving importance to sound finance to implement public good. Focus on defining a strong financial management system which would promote welfare and social development for all (Yogakshema).
   Focused on elaborate administrative setup and its efficiency -> Weber + Wilson(Emphasis on evolved systems of governance with legal-rational administrative structures suitable for modern societies and analysing society-administration relationship in the 19th-20th centuries. Developing a science of administration which is verifiable, universal, predictable and technical was the primary focus of Wilson and Weber, which was delved into Kautilya in the era of Monarchical regimes.)

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