Culture and Values of India: Acceptance of Controlled Aggression

(viii)    Acceptance of Controlled Aggression 

            Aggression is part of human nature and the evolutionary history of civilization. In the hands of feudal lords from ancient times to the present we see aggression as part of material progress. 

            Generally more aggressive, acquisitive, enterprising and hardworking societies and cultures suh as European societies  are perhaps the best example of forceful exploitation of resources, peoples and continents. 

            From a long perspective India has its Mahabharata and smaller regional wars.  India, however, does not have a history of extra-territorial aggression unlike the Europeans, Persians, Turks, Afghans, Mongols, Mughals, and others. 

            This trait of non-aggressive collective culture and  behavior with respect to the rest of the world may continue to apply to slower economic growth within India than in other countries which are relatively more aggressive in matters of the economy, military, and global power.