2011 Gateway House Global Minds Essay Competition

2011 Gateway House Global Minds Essay Competition

Ashoka or Arthashastra: which one can better shape India’s foreign policy and future?

Gateway House: Indian Council on Global Relations is a foreign policy think tank in Mumbai, established to engage India’s leading corporations and individuals in debate and scholarship on India’s foreign policy and the nation’s role in global affairs. Gateway House seeks to encourage India’s young minds to participate in these debates with curiosity and eagerness.

We are sponsoring the second Global Minds Essay Contest, open to any student enrolled in Standards 10-12 (or ages 15-19). The first place winner receives a cash prize of Rs. 5,000. The second place winner receives a cash prize of Rs. 2,500. The third place winner receives a cash prize of Rs. 1,500. The winners will be selected by a Grand Jury that includes:

Navdeep Suri (Joint Secretary and Head of the Public Diplomacy Division, Ministry of External Affairs)

Sunil Khilnani (Professor and Director of the South Asia Studies Program, School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University)

Rajni Bakshi (Gandhi Peace Fellow, Gateway House)

Vidya Shah (EdelGive Foundation)

All three finalists will receive a certificate and all prize winning essays will be published on the Gateway House website – https://www.gatewayhouse.in

INTRODUCTION

No debate is more fundamental to a country’s foreign policy than the weighing of realism against idealism—of what is versus what ought to be. India is grappling with such questions as it re-emerges on to the global stage. Two enduring traditions emerge from its history to contest the future of India’s foreign policy.

The first is the realism of the Arthashastra, the treatise on statecraft written by Chanakya, the prime minister and architect of the rise, in 320 BC, of Chandragupta Maurya, one of India’s greatest emperors. Prescribing to the young king an agenda of real-politik and calculated violence, Chanakya explains the use of conquest, kingship and politics to rule the realm.

The second is the idealism of Ashoka, the grandson of Chandragupta Maurya, who espouses Arthashastra’s prescriptions but then rejects these principles and converts to Buddhism. He is filled with revulsion for the violence of his past conquests, and seeks a world that upheld, above all, the dignity of life. His famous edicts speak of peace, compassion and the commitment to non-violence.

In whose steps should the India of today follow?

ESSAY TOPIC

Gateway House invites essays on the topic: Ashoka or Arthashastra: which one can better shape India’s foreign policy and future? Define these contrasting traditions in the context of the strategic challenges facing India today, and argue which one should shape India’s foreign policy and global role. Please restrict your response to 1,200 words. In writing your essay, use the following guidelines:

A) Analyse both paradigms of power – real-politik versus pacifism – for developing a strategy and governing modern India.

B) Keep in mind India’s present political and economic positions when applying these models. Please demonstrate how your choice will serve the country in the interim and in the long-term.

C) Please remember this is not an account of historical facts. We look forward to reading analytical and thoughtful work.

ELIGIBILITY AND RULES

A) The essay should be between 800-1,200 words. English and all Indian languages are accepted.

B) You must stay within the allotted word count. Essays exceeding 1,200 words will not be read.

C) Entries may be typed or written entries, but all must be double spaced.

D) Only your original work may be submitted. All sources must be appropriately cited; plagiarism is strictly prohibited.

E) Please include page numbers, your name, date, and your essay’s title on every page.

F) You must also include your name, mailing address, phone number, and an e-mail address so you may be reached with results.

G) Proof of Identification is required. Please attach a copy or scan of an ID card along with your essay. This may include a School ID, College ID, Library Card, Passport, etc.

H) You may submit your entry no later than Saturday, December 31, 2011.

I) Mail submissions should be sent to:

ATTN: Essay Competition

Gateway House: Indian Council on Global Relations

Cecil Court, 3rd floor,

M. K. Bhushan Marg,

Colaba, Mumbai 400039.

*essays sent in by mail must be postmarked by December 31, 2011.

J) You may also email essays to: info@gatewayhouse.in

K) All decisions are final.

L) The results will be announced by February 29, 2012.

Questions regarding the contest can be sent to info@gatewayhouse.in. The jury will notify finalists by late December. Thank you for your interest and participation. We look forward to reading your solutions. Best of luck!