Malcolm Rivera
The principles of 'Saam, Daam, Dand, Bhed' (persuade, purchase, punish, and exploit weakness) are widely used in modern global diplomacy. These principles were first mentioned by Kautilya, also known as Chanakya or Vishnugupta, in his Arthashastra, which elevates the state to a position where service to it entails imperatives unknown to morality. The four principles are: Saam, which refers to the use of influence or 'sweet words'; Daam, which refers to money or material wealth, including bribes; Dand, which means punishment or force; and Bhed, which means to divide and rule or exploit a weakness.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First Principle | Saam (Persuade) |
| Use of influence, sweet words, or non-materialistic factors | |
| Second Principle | Daam (Purchase) |
| Money or any other form of material wealth, including bribes | |
| Third Principle | Dand (Punish) |
| Use of force, armaments, or military action as a last resort | |
| Fourth Principle | Bhed (Exploit the Weakness) |
| Divide and rule, using logic or trickery to influence |
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What You'll Learn
Sama: Persuade, use of influence, or conciliation
Sama, the first of the seven techniques used by Kings to rule their Kingdoms, involves starting with conciliation or gentle persuasion. This technique is about attracting and converting others to one's side. It involves winning people over with sweet words and looks, and showing them the benefits of doing things a certain way.
Sama can be deployed in four ways. The first is to use motivational and sweet words, showing the benefit of doing things in a particular way. The second is skill development training, and the third is counselling. The fourth way to deploy Sama is unknown.
Sama is a useful technique for those who are friendly by temperament and straightforward. It is a good way to begin to influence others, before moving on to other techniques if Sama does not work.
In the context of U.S. diplomacy in the Americas, public diplomacy and soft power are important tools to present a complex and real image of a country to the world. This can involve state visits and summits, as well as raising funds for war efforts and supporting troops.
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Daam: Purchase, material wealth, or compensation
Daam, the second principle of diplomacy according to Chanakya, refers to material wealth or compensation. In Sanskrit, it is known as "Dhana" or "Dana". It can also be referred to as Dama or Daam Neeti, which means price or monetary value.
Chanakya suggests that people can be motivated by rewards and, therefore, organisations should incentivise their employees with sufficient rewards to get the desired work done. These rewards can be in the form of cash or kind, depending on the formulated policy.
In the context of diplomacy, Daam can be understood as the use of gifts, compensation, or bribes to achieve a desired outcome. This could involve offering incentives to foreign officials or governments in exchange for favourable policies or concessions.
The use of Daam can be an effective way to avoid conflicts and war. Instead of resorting to force or armaments (Danda), offering gifts or compensation can help to resolve disputes and find a mutually beneficial solution.
However, it is important to note that the use of Daam should be ethical and not involve corruption or illegal activities. As with all the principles of diplomacy, Daam should be used for the right reasons and with a good intention.
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Dand: Punish, force, or armaments
'Dand', the third principle of diplomacy in the phrase 'Saam Daam Dand Bhed', refers to punishment, force, or armaments. In the context of the phrase, Dand Neeti suggests that "a king with a rod becomes a terror". This implies that the use of force or punishment is a means to achieve power and exert influence.
Dand, as a principle, is about using punitive measures to achieve a desired result. This could involve the use of military force, which is typically considered a last resort. The types of force or punishment employed can include killing, tormenting, and plundering.
In the context of conflict resolution, Dand represents the use of force or armaments to resolve issues with an opposing state. This could involve taking up arms or using military power. However, it is important to note that the use of Dand is generally considered a final option, after other diplomatic approaches have been attempted.
The phrase 'Saam Daam Dand Bhed' is attributed to Chanakya, also known as Kautilya or Vishnugupta, in his work 'Arthashastra'. This text outlines various means to achieve an end, with Dand being one of the methods.
Overall, Dand represents the use of punishment, force, or armaments as a tool of diplomacy or conflict resolution. It is a powerful approach that can shape power dynamics and resolve issues, but it should be used judiciously and only after exploring other peaceful options.
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Bhed: Exploit the weakness, divide and rule, or use of trickery
Bhed, the final principle of diplomacy in the phrase "Saam Daam Dand Bhed", refers to the exploitation of weakness, the divide-and-rule strategy, and the use of trickery.
Bhed is derived from the Sanskrit word "bheda", which means "division". This principle involves using cunning and deception to create divisions among opposing groups or individuals, thereby weakening their unity and collective strength. By exploiting existing differences or creating new ones, a diplomat can gain an advantage and achieve their desired outcome.
In the context of state politics, Bhed can be employed to avoid conflicts and war. For example, a diplomat might use persuasive arguments and logical reasoning to influence the minds of key decision-makers, causing division and disagreement within the opposing group. This strategy can also be applied in international relations, where creating or exacerbating divisions within an enemy state can lead to internal conflicts that weaken their position.
Bhed can also be interpreted as the use of trickery or deception to mislead and manipulate others. This may involve spreading misinformation, using deceptive tactics, or employing psychological strategies to influence the behaviour and decisions of others.
It is important to note that while Bhed can be a powerful tool for achieving diplomatic goals, it should be used ethically and responsibly. As with all the principles of diplomacy, Bhed should be employed with careful consideration and a strong understanding of the potential consequences.
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Arthashastra: Elevating the state above morality
The Arthashastra is an ancient Indian treatise on statecraft, politics, economics, military strategy, and social organisation. Attributed to the philosopher and Prime Minister Kautilya (also known as Chanakya or Vishnugupta), it is thought to have been written as a handbook for King Chandragupta Maurya, instructing him on how to reign over a kingdom.
The text encourages rulers to take direct action in addressing political concerns, without regard for ethical considerations. It advises that rulers should view foreign states as enemies vying for the same resources and power, and provides guidance on how to neutralise them most effectively. For instance, the Arthashastra advises rulers on when and how to assassinate family members or rivals. It also explores issues of social welfare and collective ethics, recommending that rulers initiate public projects such as creating irrigation waterways and building forts in times of crisis.
The Arthashastra was influenced by Hinduism and the philosophical school of Charvaka, which espoused a materialistic view of the universe and human existence, rejecting supernatural elements. The text was influential until the 12th century, when it disappeared.
While the Arthashastra has been regarded as the work of a single author, some scholars argue that it is a compilation that was later expanded and redacted, possibly by Kautilya or an anonymous author. This expansion introduced a stronger Brahmanical ideology and transformed it into a proper arthashastra, with the title 'Kautilya's Arthashastra'.
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Frequently asked questions
Saam refers to the use of influence, sweet words or non-materialistic factors to persuade. Daam refers to money or any form of material wealth that can be used as a bribe. Dand means to punish by some means to achieve the desired result. Bhed means to exploit the weakness of an opponent or to divide and rule.
These terms are mentioned in the Arthashastra, a Sanskrit text on statecraft, economic policy and military strategy written by Kautilya, also known as Chanakya or Vishnugupta.
Modern global diplomacy revolves around these four principles, which can be translated as persuade, purchase, punish and exploit the weakness.
The correct order is Sama, Dhana, Vedha, Dhanda. This refers to the four stages of correcting a person, especially a child.
The English translation of these terms is 'conciliation or alliance', 'gifts or compensation', 'force or armaments' and 'usage of logic or trickery'.
