New Ideas Concerning Arts and Social Studies Vol. 4

The objective of this study is to critically examine the political philosophy of the Thirukkural, a text of global significance, focusing on seventy chapters that explore royalty, ministers, and the state. While the Thirukkural is globally revered for its ethical insights, its sophisticated vision of governance remains underrepresented in political discourse. To critically analyse this vision, the study introduces the GEAR framework—Governance, Ethics, Authority, and Rightness—as an original model for interpreting statecraft through a moral lens. Adopting a cross-cultural comparative approach, the research situates Thiruvalluvar’s principles alongside Saiva Siddhanta, Gandhian ideals, Confucian ethics, and Western classical thought, particularly Plato. This interdisciplinary approach, central to the analysis, is captured in the GLIA model—Governance (public control), Leadership (upright authority), Integrity (ethical foundation), and Accountability (public responsibility). This model not only underscores the enduring relevance of Thiruvalluvar’s ideals but also demonstrates the breadth and depth of the study's research, appealing to a wide range of scholars. The Thirukkural emerges not only as a timeless ethical text but also as a visionary treatise on inclusive, virtuous governance, seamlessly integrating Aram (virtue), Porul (material order), and just authority. As the first study to apply the GEAR framework, this study offers fresh insights into classical Tamil political thought and its profound relevance to contemporary democratic values, transcending the boundaries of religion, race, and caste in today’s pluralistic societies.