Routledge Handbook of Asian Political Thought is a wide-ranging resource covering Asian Thought from classical to contemporary times. The contributions represent the latest debates in scholarship, covering both standard and cutting edge interpretations of the great schools of thoughts as well as modern theorists. The handbook begins by examining the classical foundations of Asian politics (including Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism a, Kautilya’s Arthasastra and the kingly model of Ashoka) and how these schools of thought morphed and travelled over the centuries. Next, the contributors look at the rise of nationalism and ideas about revolution and modernization in the thought of 19th and 20th century intellectuals such as Mao, Gandhi, Tagore, and Fukuzawa as Asia responded to the challenge of the West. Finally, they consider the continuing development of answers to questions of nationalism, modernization, democracy, and authoritarianism, reflecting on the thought of famous contemporary figures such as the Dalai Lama as well as less well known schools of thought such as philosophy of Dalit (untouchable) Power in India. Drawing on the disciplines of political science, Asian studies, history, and philosophy, this handbook unifies the diverse approaches through common themes including: Legitimate Regimes and Order: Hierarchy and Equality, Democracy and Authoritarianism Community, Identity, and Nation Visions of Modernity and Globalization The Meaning of Asia and East-West Differences This handbook is an essential resource for any student or scholar Asian political thought or comparative political theory. It will also be useful in the broader fields of Asian studies, political science, history and philosophy.

Table of Contents:
Part I. Introduction 1. Introduction to Asian Political Thought Part II. Classical Foundations 2. Confucianism 3. Other China Schools 4. Indian Beginnings Part III. Adaptations and Interactions 5. Imperial Confucianism and Neo-Confucianism 6. Confucianism Beyond China 7. Critical Confucianism 8. Buddhism on the Road and Sea 9. Islamic Thought in South and Southeast Asia Part IV. Encountering the West, Liberation, and Cold War 10. Encountering the West and the birth of nationalism in Southeast Asia 11. China Searching for Solutions 1880s-1930s 12. India’s Early Reform Directions 13. Meiji Alternatives for Japan and the Rise of Militarism 14. India Visions of Swaraj 15. Pan-Islam or a Nation of Muslims: Birthing Pakistan 16. Mao Zedong’s Politics, Economics, and International Relations 17. Revolutionary Times: Southeast Asia from Ho Chi Minh to Sukarno Part V. Global Themes and Contemporary Asia: Modernization, Equality, Democracy, Gender, Environment, Freedom, and Religion 18. Chinese Domestic Thought 19. Chinese International Thought 20. Liberation, Cultural Survival, and Pragmatism: The Political Thought of the Dalai Lama 21. Southeast Asia: Islamism 22. Liberal Islam across the region 23. Authoritarian Successes and Defenses: Singapore 24. Regional: Opposition Broadsides 25. 2020: Mahathir’s Visions 26. Women’s Political Thought in Indonesia 27. Japan: The Post-war Japanese Model and Its Critics 28. India: Counter-Narratives