Good governance in Plato’s philosopher king: An analysis in the Indian context
- Bihar Journal of Public Administration
- 21(1), Jan-Jun, 2024: p.181-189
Good governance has become a buzz word not only for India but for the entire developing countries. The international organisations like FAO, WB etc. have articulated the components of good governance especially for developing countries. These components include transparent, people-centric, rule of law, effective and efficient service, use of IT etc. but the entire components veer around the state apparatus run by the ruling aptitude. Here the crux of good governance lies in the fact that governing institutions care the citizens well being and are handled by persons of ability, vision and integrity. If we look back in ancient period, the thinkers of West also had vision of such rulers that serve the interest of the citizens. As such the present research paper explores the enduring relevance of Plato’s concept of the Philosopher King in the context of India. We find that Plato introduced the idea of a ruler who possessed both philosophical wisdom and a commitment to the welfare of the state. By the comparative analysis, the study identifies potential benefits and challenges associated with the relevance of Plato’s Philosopher King. The present research paper contributes to the ongoing discourse on governance in India by critically evaluating the implications of Plato’s Philosopher King. – Reproduced