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Tuesday, October 10, 2017

Valluvar’s concept of an ideal country


Valluvar’s concept of an ideal country

 Dr. R. Prabhakaran

 

Introduction

The words “country” and “nation” are often used interchangeably. But they mean different things. A country is a self-governing political entity that has its own territory with internationally recognized borders. As of 2017, 193 countries were members of the United Nations Organization. Nation refers to a group of people sharing a common culture, language, and history. For example, although the Kurdish people live in Iran, Iraq, and Turkey, they consider themselves members of the Kurdish nation. In chapter 74 of his book, Valluvar refers to a political entity ruled by a king. So, all references in Chapter 74 should be considered references to a country rather than a nation.

 

In the Chapter on Country, Valluvar mentions that a country should be free of starvation, epidemics, harassment from enemies, warring factions, internal strife, and murderous gangsters. Also, the country should not experience major devastation. Even when such devastation occurs and the financial burden befalls, the country should be resilient enough to withstand such exigencies and bounce back to normalcy. He then discusses the positive features that a country should possess. Finally, he stresses the importance of good leadership for a country to prosper. 

 

            Valluvar’s foresight is genuinely remarkable. Even in the 21st century, many countries are plagued with the same problems mentioned by Valluvar. They struggle to provide satisfactory healthcare for their citizens, are unable to maintain law and order, and are incapable of providing their citizens with safety, security, peace, prosperity, and happiness. There are very few countries that meet all of Valluvar’s criteria to be considered an ideal country. Valluvar’s kurals from the chapter on Country are presented in the following paragraphs, and his ideas are compared against the current conditions in many countries of the world. 

 

The adverse conditions that should not be present in a country:

An ideal country is one where people are free from starvation and epidemics, and enemies do not harass the country.                                                                       (kural – 734)

 

Starvation, epidemics, frequent conflicts, and wars are also common in Africa and some Asian countries. Compared to other countries, Canada and the USA seem to meet the ideals mentioned in the above kural. Except during the Great Depression, famine and starvation have not affected the USA. Canada has not been subject to significant famines or starvation crises. Due to general awareness of hygiene and the government’s initiatives for disease control, major epidemics have been rare in the USA and Canada. Of course, the USA has been involved in many conflicts and wars during its history. But there has been no country powerful enough to harass the USA. In most cases, it has been the USA that was the aggressor. However, Canada has never initiated a war. Its involvement in wars has been only in support of the USA, UK, or United Nations Organization peacekeeping efforts. For several decades, Canada has not been harassed by any enemies.

 

An ideal nation does not have warring factions, destructive internal strife, and murderous gangsters.                                                                                               (kural – 735)  

 

Although the USA was found to meet the criteria in kural 734, it certainly falls short with respect to the criteria in kural 735. On-going racial disputes, drug-related gangs, and murders are routine occurrences in major cities of the USA. Each year, countries are ranked on the Global Peace Index (GPI), a composite measure of peacefulness according to the levels of safety and security in their society, involvement in conflict at home and abroad, and their degree of militarization. Based on the 2017 GPI, the most peaceful country in the world is Iceland, and New Zealand is considered the second most peaceful country. Since 2008, Iceland has been undisputed, and number one ranked most peaceful country in the world. It ranks at the top in just about every measure on the GPI, including being number one in social safety, security, and militarization. 

 

Resilience and resurgence in case of devastation: 

It is the best among countries that know no devastation; even if any devastation should occur, its prosperity does not decline.                                         (Kural – 736)

 

It is beyond the control of a country to prevent natural disasters. Valluvar says that even if devastation should occur, a country should be able to recover from it and continue to prosper. A notable example in this context is Japan. During the second world war, Japan suffered major setbacks, including the USA’s nuclear bombing resulting in enormous loss of life and property. The country’s infrastructure was completely destroyed. But Japan bounced back and regained its prosperity. This was due to the industry, innovation, and perseverance of the Japanese people. 

 

An ideal country bears every burden that befalls yet pays in full all the taxes owed to the government.                                                                                                                 (kural – 733)

 

The Center for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters publishes an Annual Disaster Review to provide valuable information on the occurrence of natural disasters and their impacts on society. According to their report issued in 2014, “China, the United States, the Philippines, Indonesia, and India are the five countries most frequently hit by natural disasters. For years, these same countries have regularly featured at the top of this annual list.” Japan should also be included in this list. Japan has experienced more than 60 earthquakes of magnitude 6.0 or higher on the Richter scale in the past 500 years. Yet, the people in these countries have paid their taxes regularly, and there has been no revolt against taxes. So, several countries pass the test proposed by Valluvar in kural 733.

 

Features of an Ideal Country

An ideal country is one that has an unfailing yield, competent citizenry, and discerning people with wealth.                                                                                                    (kural – 731)

 

Unfailing yield implies that the soil is fertile, there is sufficient and timely rain, and those engaged in cultivation are meticulous in carrying out their duties. If the yield is unfailing, then there will be adequate food which is a basic necessity for the country's citizens. During the days of Valluvar, agriculture was the primary occupation in the world. But in the context of modern times, “unfailing yield” can be expanded to include the uninterrupted supply of all goods and services needed for the citizens of the country. The competent citizenry would consist of capable people with intelligence, innovation, and enthusiasm to work hard to produce various products and offer services required for the country's people. This interpretation allows the inclusion of labor as well as management in the category of the competent citizenry. Discerning people with ample wealth can afford to provide the necessary capital essential for the production of goods. 

 

In his commentary on Thirukkural, Dr. S. M. Diaz suggests that this kural lends itself to an interpretation consistent with later-day economists like Adam Smith (1723 – 1790) and Alfred Marshal (1842 – 1924). Adam Smith’s magnum opus, “The Wealth of Nations,” is considered the first modern work on economics. Alfred Marshal’s Principles of Economics was the dominant economic textbook in England for many years. Adam Smith and Alfred Marshal are considered pioneers in the field of economics. Adam Smith mentions land, labor, and capital as the three prime factors of production. 

 

Subsequently, Alfred Marshal added organization as the fourth factor of production. If Valluvar’s mention of the competent citizenry can be interpreted to include labor and management, then it is consistent with Alfred Marshal’s view that land, labor, capital, and organization are necessary factors for the efficient production of goods. Based on this revised interpretation, the above kural can be restated as follows: Productive land, competent labor, organization, and ample wealth constitute a prosperous land.

 

A land admired for its vast wealth, free from calamities, and yielding in abundance is the ideal country.                                                                                                     (kural – 732)

 

The one country that is admired for its vast wealth and is the envy of the rest of the world is the United States of America. The USA is considered the land of opportunity. Over the past two centuries, millions of people from other countries have migrated legally and settled in the USA. Every day, thousands of people sneak illegally into the USA, hoping for a better life. However, the USA has not been free from calamities. It may suffer from earthquakes, torrential rain and tornadoes, heavy snowfall, forest fire, and other natural disasters. But the people's resilience, the nation’s abundant wealth, and the government’s emergency management policies and practices help to overcome these calamities. The vast size of the country and the fertility of the soil combined with the industry and enterprising nature of the people have contributed to the abundance in the USA and helped her to gain the admiration of other countries.

 

Surface water, underground water, useful mountains, rivers, and strong fortifications are five essential parts of a country.                                                                        (kural – 737)

 

According to the World Factbook (2015), Brazil, Russia, the USA, and Canada are the top four countries with plenty of freshwater resources. These countries are also blessed with useful mountains and rivers. Mountains, rivers, and forests can serve as natural fortifications for a country. The ocean serves as the natural boundary and fortification for Australia and other island countries. For other countries, the sea may be part of their boundary. For some countries, mountains and rivers form the border. However strong the fortification is, people from neighboring countries and enemies may find innovative ways to cross those barriers. In modern warfare, aerial attack plays a significant role, and the traditional land and sea-based fortifications will not be adequate. However, ultimately war is won as a result of a ground battle. Therefore, Valluvar is right in emphasizing the importance of land-based fortifications. 

 

Five ornaments of a country are the health of the citizens, the wealth of the country, rich harvests, people’s happiness, and people’s safety.                                  (kural – 738)

 

The five items that are mentioned in the previous kural (kural -737) are essential features of a country. But the five items mentioned in the above kural (kural – 738) - health of the citizens, the wealth of the country, rich harvests, people’s happiness, and safety add value to the country and make it superior to other countries. These are ideals that most countries strive to accomplish. Most third-world countries are not able to achieve these ideals. Even a wealthy country like the USA cannot guarantee affordable healthcare for its citizens. Because of the proliferation of drugs, violence and hate crimes, terrorist attacks, the safety and happiness of US citizens are often at risk.

 

The United Nations’ Human Development Report 2016 ranks where people live long, healthy lives. In other words, the countries that are best to live. The UN looked at nearly 200 countries across many categories, including life expectancy, education, gender equality, and financial wealth. The report concludes that several pitfalls work against human progress: discrimination, intolerance, and social norms that target vulnerable groups like women and racial minorities who face prejudice in a number of areas, including employment, education, and property rights. According to the Human Development Report (2016), the top eleven countries that scored high are Norway, Australia, Switzerland, Germany, Denmark, Singapore, The Netherlands, Ireland, Iceland, Canada, and the USA.

 

A place where prosperity comes effortlessly deserves to be called a country, not where prosperity entails hard labor.                                                                             (kural – 739)

 

This kural sets up a very high standard. As seen from the above-cited UN Report, even in developed countries, life is not easy, and individuals do not achieve prosperity without hard work. Because of the existing prejudices, gender, and racial inequalities, discrimination, inefficiencies of the governments, and corruption among politicians, the life of an average citizen is difficult, and achieving prosperity is not easy. However, in developed countries like the USA, opportunities are more for achieving prosperity than in underdeveloped countries. Individuals who take advantage of the opportunities and work hard prosper. Effortless prosperity for everyone is perhaps the ideal and not a reality in most countries in modern times. The only exceptions are some of the countries in the middle east whose prosperity is solely based on the enormous oil and natural gas reserves. For example, Qatar's average per capita income is more than $100,000.

 

Importance of good governance

 

Even if a country has all the blessings, it is worth nothing if it lacks a good ruler.                                                                                                                                        (kural – 740)

 

The outstanding examples to validate this kural are North Korea and Venezuela. In the case of North Korea, three generations of dictators have been totally corrupt, and they have impoverished their country with callous indifference to its citizens. The land and the people of North Korea are not much different than their southern neighbor, South Korea. While South Korea has significantly improved its economy with significant industrial development, and its people are prosperous, North Korea has failed to do so. Millions of people are starving and dying of malnutrition each year, while the dictator is proud to build intercontinental ballistic missiles and strengthen the armed forces. The primary reason for the people’s misery is the attitude and actions of the country’s leader. Venezuela is a fertile country and has the world’s largest oil reserve. The corrupt leadership and the failed socialistic ideologies of Hugo Chavez and his successor Nicolas Maduro are responsible for the abject poverty and anarchy in that country.

 

Conclusion

In the Chapter on Country, Valluvar mentions several unfavorable conditions which should not be present in an ideal country. An ideal country is one that is free of famines, starvation, epidemics, wars, internal strife, and warring factions. On the positive side, the country should be fertile with ample water, seasonal rain, unfailing yield, wealthy people with undiminishing wealth, strong fortifications, effortless prosperity, and responsible government working towards the welfare and happiness of its citizens. There is increasing violence, poverty, terrorism, crime, inefficient governments, drugs, immorality, and decadence. The best thing we can do is to hope that someday things will be better. 


Hope springs eternal in the human breast.

Man, never is, but always to be blessed:

The soul, uneasy and confined from home,

Rests and expatiates in a life to come.

– Alexander Pope, An Essay on Man

 


Bibliography
Aiyar, V.V. S. Thirukkural. Sri Ramakrishna Thapovanam, Tiruparaithurai, Tiruchirapalli District,
              India: 2001.
Diaz, S.M. Thirukkural. Volumes 1 &2.  Ramanandha Adigalar Foundation, Chennai: 2000.Drew, W.H., Lazarus, John, Rev. Thirukkural – English Translation. Asian Educational services,      Madras (Chennai): 1996.
Nambi, Agamudai, K.C. Thirukkural (With English verses). K.C. Agamudai Nambi, Madurai, 2004. "WHO Global Status Report on Alcohol 2004" (PDF). World Health Organization. 2004. ISBN 92-
4-156272-2. Retrieved 19 March 2015.
தமிழண்ணல். திருவள்ளுவர் அருளிய திருக்குறள். மீனாட்சி புத்தக
              நிலையம், மயூரா வளாகம், மதுரை: 1999.







நாடு

தள்ளா விளையுளும் தக்காரும் தாழ்விலாச்
செல்வரும் சேர்வது நாடு.                                 (குறள் – 731)

பெரும்பொருளால் பெட்டக்க தாகி அருங்கேட்டால்
ஆற்ற விளைவது நாடு.                                   (குறள் – 732)

பொறையொருங்கு மேல்வருங்கால் தாங்கி இறைவற்கு
இறையொருங்கு நேர்வது நாடு.                           (குறள் – 733)

உறுபசியும் ஓவாப் பிணியும் செறுபகையும்
சேராது யல்வது நாடு.                                  (குறள் – 734)

பல்குழுவும் பாழ்செய்யும் உட்பகையும் வேந்தலைக்கும்
கொல்குறும்பும் இல்லது நாடு.                             (குறள்735)

கேடறியாக் கெட்ட இடத்தும் வளங்குன்றா
நாடென்ப நாட்டின் தலை.                                 (குறள் – 736)

இருபுனலும் வாய்ந்த மலையும் வருபுனலும்
வல்லரணும் நாட்டிற்கு உறுப்பு.                           (குறள் – 737)

பிணியின்மை செல்வம் விளைவின்பம் ஏமம்
அணியென்ப நாட்டிவ் வைந்து.                            (குறள்738)

நாடென்ப நாடா வளத்தன நாடல்ல
நாட வளந்தரு நாடு.                                      (குறள் – 739)

ஆங்கமை வெய்தியக் கண்ணும் பயமின்றே

வேந்தமை வில்லாத நாடு.                                (குறள் – 740)

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