The papers presented in this book explain the Indian approach to Governance and Human Rights. Little literature is presently available which can explain the system of governance which enabled the Indian civilisation to survive for 5,000 years. This book makes a path-breaking contribution in the direction. It shows that there were many methods of checking the excesses of the government. One among such measures was peoples resistance which has been formally established in the form of adult franchise or democracy. It is shown that this is but one small subset of the total system of governance of the Indian civilisation. A plea is made to understand and incorporate of governance into the modern democratic structure. The movement for the protection of Human Rights has come to the fore after the perpetration of great atrocities upon the Jews by the Nazis during the Second World War. But such violations would have occurred throughout history. The second part of the book deals with the Indian approach to Human Rights. It is shown that performance of duties by one secures the rights of others. The focus on rights detracts individuals from performing their duties. A plea is made for greater stress on duties than rights.

About the Author
Bharat Jhunjhunwala, is a scholar professor, eminent writer, economist, communist and political activist.

Table of Contents
Preface Acknowledgements Introduction Statecraft in Ancient India Kalidasa's Description of Checks on the Unrighteous Ruler People's Voice in Vedic Political System Bhisma's Description of Democracy The Moral Imperative in Good Governance Checks and Balance of Governance in Ancient India as per the Mahabharata Eternal Values, Democracy and Human Rights Elections in the Indian Tradition and Good Governance Democracy in the Indian Tradition Caste as a System of Governance The Democratic Nature of Indian Monarchy Materialism, Spirituality and Democracy Inadequacy of Democracy Politics and the Social Good Duties Before Rights Priority to Duties in Indian Tradition Individualism and Materialism are Contra Human Rights Priority Given to Human Rights in Ancient Indian Tradition Varna and Equality in Indian Tradition The Ideal of Social Good in Indian Tradition A Santana Critique of UN Declaration of Human Rights Eternal Values and Justice Classification of Human Beings in Indian Law Human Rights in Mahabharata The Perpetual Conflict between Good and Evil Daya Bhaga Limits to Statutory Rights Basic Human Rights Transcend Human Differences Individual Rights Lead to Social Good Santana Values and Indian Constitution Human Rights Trans Cultural Boundaries Legal and Social Dimensions of Human Right Index.