This book examines a wide range of issues that are expected to play a dominant role in shaping the 21st century. Delineating key concerns in geopolitics, democracy and peace, it studies the functions and influences of educational institutions, progressive religious and social groups, communities, international institutions such as the United Nations (UN); and forums promoting inter-faith dialogue. The author underscores how the century may be forged by a pluralist ethos: multiple and diverse nation states, centres of power, faiths, cultures, economies, and languages. He stresses the need to nurture moral strength and enlightened leadership for a life of compassion, peace and holistic development. In his second edition, the author further examines what the future holds for democracy. The volume takes stock of the recent developments in world politics, and highlights the urgent need for the Bahudha approach - inculcating a culture of dialogue and debate for peaceful resolution of conflicts. Lucid and engaging, this book will interest scholars and researchers of political studies, international relations, public policy, governance and development studies.

This book examines a wide range of issues that are expected to play a dominant role in shaping the 21st century. Delineating key concerns in geopolitics, democracy and peace, it studies the functions and influences of educational institutions, progressive religious and social groups, communities, international institutions such as the United Nations (UN); and forums promoting inter-faith dialogue. The author underscores how the century may be forged by a pluralist ethos: multiple and diverse nation states, centres of power, faiths, cultures, economies, and languages. He stresses the need to nurture moral strength and enlightened leadership for a life of compassion, peace and holistic development. In his second edition, the author further examines what the future holds for democracy. The volume takes stock of the recent developments in world politics, and highlights the urgent need for the Bahudha approach - inculcating a culture of dialogue and debate for peaceful resolution of conflicts. Lucid and engaging, this book will interest scholars and researchers of political studies, international relations, public policy, governance and development studies.

The rise of terrorism and fundamentalism in recent times has brought about phenomenal changes in global politics. These call for a new, bold, and imaginative statecraft from world leaders. Underlining the need to transcend age old peace mechanisms and to reconstruct our language of discourse, this book propounds the concept of Bahudha - an eternal reality or continuum, a dialogue of harmony, and peaceful living. Bahudha recognises the distinction between plural societies and pluralism. Bahudha facilitates exchange of views, and promotes understanding of the collective good. The rise of terrorism and fundamentalism in recent times has brought about phenomenal changes in global politics. These call for new, bold, and imaginative statecraft from world leaders. Underlining the need to transcend age-old peace mechanisms and to reconstruct our language of discourse, this book propounds the concept of Bahudha-an eternal reality or continuum, a dialogue of harmony, and peaceful living. Bahudha recognizes the distinction between plural societies and pluralism. It facilitates an exchange of views and promotes understanding of the collective good. The book discusses the major events witnessed by the world during the years 1989-2001-the fall of the Berlin Wall, the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the transfer of Hong Kong to China, and the terrorist attack on the USA on 11 September 2001, and events thereafter-as well as their implications for various nations, cultures, and global peace. The book also discusses India's civilizational experiences in handling the pluralistic challenge by citing examples from the Vedas and Puranas and analysing policies followed by Ashoka, Kabir, Guru Nanak, Akbar, and Mahatma Gandhi. The author underlines the importance of Bahudha as an instrument of public policy for harmony and also discusses the global imperatives of following such an approach. It highlights the central role of education and religion in the building of a harmonious society and advocates the strengthening of the United Nations to become an effective global conflict resolution mechanism.