Strategic Choices, Ethical Dilemmas

The book uses the text of the Mahabharat to analyse selected stories for their relevance in ethics and strategic choices. The authors have chosen nine stories from the Mahabharat to draw lessons and thereafter have extended these lessons to apply to the current times ethically and geopolitically. The authors have used the Bhandharkar Oriental Research Institutes (BORI) critical edition of the Mahabharat as the foundational text for their examination. They set the stage for the examination with the first two chapters, which provide the book's premise, develop the basic plot line and cover the story of the epic. The stories and the lessons drawn from them are briefly summarised below:-

Story Generic Lessons Application to ethics and international relations Ganesha, Vyas and the Importance of teamwork The Ganesh and Vyas writing of the Mahabharat Choose your team wisely collaboration is relevant to The value of bargaining and alliance formation. negotiation and developing Even amongst friends, creative solutions bargaining and negotiation may be necessary Being solution-oriented is essential, and more so when dealing with allies rather than rivals

18-Dec-24 Story Generic Lessons Application to ethics and international relations Arjuna's aim Power of concentration and Focussed aims for the single-minded focus policymakers and politicians to emulate The friendship between Importance of The global governance Duryodhana and Karn sportsmanship structure is not equal and Seeing people for who they needs an overhaul are without attaching them Class-based discrimination to titles extends to nations as well Realising the damage that exclusionary principles of caste and class do The magical being of the Righteousness and the idea Renegotiating the terms of lake and Yudhishtir of Dharma world governance Overcoming our anthropocentric outlook towards global governance False dichotomy of interests and values The Bhagwad Gita War is never to be taken The delicate dance of failed casually negotiations and war Caution against war does Neutrality is not the best not translate to fear option in today's world, When the path to war is even for India chosen, there is no turning back Dronaacharaya, Yudishtir and Sharing personal Narratives matter Ashwatthama information increases The digital sphere is more vulnerability susceptible to Fake news and disinformation and needs disinformation can be a more than its fair share of powerful tool against the checks and balances best of adversaries without overreach Treat all sources with a Trust in sources is to be degree of scepticism circumspectly bestowed, especially in times of conflict

18-Dec-24 Story Generic Lessons Application to ethics and international relations Karn and the Snake Prince Stubbornness and pride Partnerships must be built come with a fall on deeply held shared Opportunity rarely knocks values and interests twice; be flexible to Flexibility is a key overcome the past and imperative in strategic accept a second chance choices Story of the Noble Parrot Do not forget the kindness Rethinking the narrative on and the Tree received from others climate change, the planet Debts are not restricted does not belong only to only to humans humans Compassion is not limited Loyalty and historical to humans friendship of intent and corresponding support must be considered when dealing with nations Yudhishtir and the Dog Challenge traditional Make a distinction between wisdom and defy traditions conservation and that entail cruelty preservation Compassion and dignity Breakdown binaries of that transcends species is human and non-human morally important

The application of IR theory and the ethical principles of life are thoughtprovoking. However, specific themes, such as issues of global governance and the Anthropocene nature of the world, echo repeatedly across the book. Some conclusions also appear to be laboured as the direct correlation between life lessons and strategy is difficult to establish without an elaborate discussion. Overall, it is a satisfactory read with an interesting take on the chosen stories, adequately covering their ethical dimensions but leaving much to be desired in terms of their application to strategy and geopolitics.

18-Dec-24