“Peace Wins Over War” An Analysis of the US Presidential Campaign 2024 through the Kautilyan Lens

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Donald Trump’s historic second-term victory in the 2024 US Presidential Election has sparked conversations around leadership, power, and the dynamics of global influence. As the world grapples with the implications of his renewed mandate, it’s worth reflecting on the ancient wisdom of Kautilya—whose insights into governance, diplomacy, and the balance between power and peace offer timeless lessons for today’s leaders. While Trump’s assertive approach often emphasizes strength, Kautilya reminds us that sustainable leadership ultimately lies in harnessing peace, not just winning wars. This article explores why peace, as a strategic tool, holds the key to enduring leadership success, even amidst political upheaval.

The foundational concept of Kautilya’s statecraft, as captured in three core sutras from the Arthashastra, is essential to understand the dynamics of the 2024 US Presidential Campaign:

“शम.व्यायामौ योग.क्षेमयोर् योनिः ||” 
(śamâ-vyāyāmau yogakṣemayor yonihṣ)
“Peace and activity constitute the source of acquisition and security” (6.2.1)

“कर्मारम्भाणां योगाराधनो व्यायामः ||”
(karma-ārambhāṇāṁ yoga-ārādhanō vyāyāmaḥ)
“Activity is that which brings about accomplishment of works undertaken” (6.2.2)

“कर्मफलोपभोगानां क्षेमाराधनः शमः ||”
(karma-phala-upabhogānāṁ kṣema-ārādhanah śamaḥ)
“Peace is that which ensures the security of the fruits of work” (6.2.3)

These sutras provide the framework for an integrated approach to governance: combining the pursuit of योग (yoga) – acquisition (new deveopments) with क्षेम (kṣema) – the consolidation and safeguarding of those developments. The interplay of शम (śama) – peace and व्यायामः (vyāyāma) – activity, reveals that both proactive efforts and tranquil consolidation are essential for sustained prosperity.

Donald Trump’s strategy during the 2024 US Presidential Campaign reflected this balanced governance approach as outlined by Kautilya. His campaign focused on economic stability, reshoring jobs, reducing international conflicts, and embracing new technologies. His slogan, “Make America Great Again”, encapsulated his focus on reinforcing American prosperity and well-being by prioritizing “America First” and limiting overseas military engagements.

Trump emphasized reducing “endless wars,” negotiating peace deals, and ensuring energy independence, which aligns with Kautilya’s concept of “योग-क्षेमयोः योनिः ||” (yoga-kṣemayoḥ yoniḥ) “Peace must be actively pursued to protect what is attained.” This highlights that lasting peace and security are vital to protect what has already been attained, rather than risking these gains through costly and unnecessary foreign interventions. It reflects Kautilya’s notion that sustainable governance requires both योग (yoga) – acquisition (new deveopments) and क्षेम (kṣema) – protection.

Kautilya further elaborates on the pillars of effective governance:
“वृद्धि, लाभ, पालन ||”
(vṛddhi, lābha, pālana)
“Growth, gains, and maintaining what is gained” (1.7.6)

The Sutra signifies sustaining what is gained. Trump’s focus on sustaining domestic welfare without excessive foreign involvement speaks directly to pālana. By prioritizing stability at home, he emphasized nurturing and safeguarding existing prosperity over aggressive new expansion—a principle deeply rooted in Kautilyan governance.

Another aspect of Trump’s campaign was his focus on leveraging modern technology to maintain the nation’s growth. His efforts to encourage investments in artificial intelligence (AI) and energy independence, inspired by technological advancements led by figures like Elon Musk, represent vṛddhi. However, Trump’s approach to clean energy was more mixed. While he promoted energy independence, his policies tended to favor traditional fossil fuels over clean energy and electric vehicles. His stance on renewable energy and electric vehicles was not as strong as other leaders, focusing instead on coal and oil industries. Despite this, he did recognize the role of AI in advancing national infrastructure and economic growth. This approach ensured that America was not only growing but also leading in key technological sectors, emphasizing national self-reliance and prosperity.

In contrast, Trump’s opponent adopted a more interventionist foreign policy stance, advocating for greater international commitments and interventions. This approach often aligns with भेद (bheda) – a divide-and-conquer tactic aimed at creating or exploiting divisions to establish influence and control, which can lead to external entanglements and potential internal instability.

The emphasis on welfare, unity, and technological advancement rather than divisive aggression aligns Trump’s campaign approach with Kautilya’s dharmic governance model, where the well-being of the people is the priority. This is reflected in the sutra:

“प्रजासुखे सुखं राञ: प्रजानां च हिते हितम् ||”
(prajāsukhe sukhaṁ raja, prajānāṁ ca hite hitam)
“In the happiness of the subjects lies the benefit of the leader and in what is beneficial to the subjects is his own benefit.” (1.19.34)

This principle is clearly reflected in Trump’s repeated emphasis on social stability, economic security, technological progress, and the overall well-being of American citizens, presenting a campaign that prioritized internal prosperity and unity.

Through a Kautilyan lens, the 2024 US Presidential campaign presented two contrasting approaches: शम एवं क्षेम (śama evaṁ kṣema) – peace and security versus विभेद एवं हस्तक्षेप (vibheda evaṁ hastakṣepa) – division and intervention. Trump’s reliance on preserving what has been gained over pursuing aggressive expansion exemplifies Kautilya’s principle that peace, along with the resulting prosperity and security, triumphs over conflict-driven ambitions. His campaign’s focus on peace and well-being of the people, along with his well-known slogan “Make America Great Again”, underscored a strategy for enduring strength and balanced prosperity, demonstrating that peace, technological advancement, and internal unity are active foundations for sustainable power.

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