Deen Dayal Upadhyaya - Social and Political Philosophy

Integral Humanism

Coperative processes are more in the society in comparison to conflict processes. that is why societies are growing.

A conflict in society is like a disease in a person. The body has the capability to get rid of the disease and become healthy again.

Society has the capability to end the conflict. social workers must try to improve this capability like doctors improve the capability of the body to fight the disease.

Mass contact by political parties

An active worker of a political party can contact easily 50 persons, who could be their potential supporters at their house every year. Around 2000 members will be required at a parliamentary constituency level to meet 1,00,000 persons. But no political party seems to be practicing this mass contact. Why?

Unity in Extreme Diversity - Hindu Gods Symbolize it

The practice of unity in diversity casts faith on interdependence. swami Suddhananda explains the practice of unity in extreme diversity by referring to the togetherness of Shiva, Shakti, Ganapati and karthikeya.

They have as their constant means of transport, the bull, the lion, the mouse and the peacock. In addition Shiva wears a snake around his neck. The lion normally feeds on the bull, while the snake feeds on the mouse. Peacock feeds on the snake. Still they live in divine unison, thye live joyfully in peaceful co-existence.

Also remember, Adi Sankara founded his monastery in the place where he observed to his delight, a serpent protecting with its raised hood a pregnant toad from rain.

Excerpts from Establish yourself on true strength by K Vijayaraghavan in Economic Times dated 18-6-2007 (June) in the editorial page under the column Cosmic Uplink

Social Capital

I came across this concept in an article in Hindu dated August 26,2007 page 14 by P.K.Doraiswamy.

Social capital is the capacity of people to act together willingly in their common long-term interest.

The article stated taht democracy is not a spectator sport for the people of the country. They have to influence policy and project formulation through membership of committees, submission of memoranda directly or through elected representatives, and through an interactive role in the implementation of policies, projects and schemes.

Their participation in exposing irregularities is also important for improvement in the quality of governance.

The various roles can be:

Watchdog
Advocate
Agitator
Educator
Service provider; government neglected areas can be taken up by civil society.

Meaning of Brahmana

Brahman means prayer or devotion reflecting an authoritative utterance of a priest. Utterance is particularly related to sacrifice and the brahmanas are so called as they are repositories of such utterances.

Political and Social Philosophy of Karl Marx

In Marx's philosophy conflict has the significant place.

Political and Social Philosophy of Gandhi

The main focus of Gandhi's philosophy is non-violence.