The Guiding Principles in National and Global Politics

By Parveen Jain

The Merriam-Webster online dictionary’s initial entry for the word politics defines it as “1. (a) the art or science of government”; “(b) the art or science concerned with guiding or influencing governmental policy”; and “(c) the art or science concerned with winning and holding control over a government.” President Abraham Lincoln eloquently contextualized democratic government as “of the people, by the people, for the people.”

For a government to be truly of the people, by the people, for the people, political leaders must be honorable both inwardly and outwardly. Good leaders understand and accept non-absolutism and a multiplicity of views (anekāntavāda), and make decisions with an open mind and a respect for differing views—even contradictory views—without necessarily having to agree with them. In an increasingly globalized economy, communities and nations are becoming progressively interdependent, and if leaders adamantly rely on and adhere to solely their own personal views, they will create and embolden intolerance, and will jeopardize the development of consensus.

When leaders espouse humility (mārdava), exercise restraint (saṁyama), make decisions judiciously, and are straightforward (ārjava), they create an environment of trust and congeniality. With such political leadership people feel economically and socially secure, they perform better, and calmness and peace prevail. Under such circumstances, intolerance and distrust diminish, and healthy race and sectarian relations flourish. All levels of interpersonal and international interactions improve.

For more information, please see chapters 7 and 13 in An Introduction to Jain Philosophy.