Moksha Kochar

This paper offers a critical examination of Krishna’s role as a negotiator in the Mahabharata, often bringing admiration from people. While Krishna’s diplomatic mission to Hastinapura demonstrates his persuasion skills, strategic decision making and communication skills. However, despite excelling at negotiations he still couldn’t bring resolve the issue between the parties. We can further reduce this failure to structural, psychological, and political limitation on peace-making. Further with reference from various sources like Machiavellian political realism, Greek mythologies, psychological theories of aggression, international legal history, and Russian literary philosophy, the paper argues that existence of conflict or rather war isn’t merely due to poor negotiation but because human beings repeatedly prefer power, identity, and emotional certainty over compromise. This paper not only explores Krishna’s negotiation skills, this paper further tries to understand what more could have been done, while acknowledging that even the most skilled negotiators may fail in the face of human preferences.

This paper is comparative analysis between Niccolo Machiavelli’s “The Prince” and Franz Kafka’s “The Trial”, with the main focus being power struggle, virtue, and other ethical dilemmas. Machiavelli’s view of power is something you can acquire and hold using certain strategies or tactics, emphasizing that "the ends justify the means" , and asserting that rulers need to manipulate and control citizens with fear and cunning methods. On the contrary, Kafka Critiques modern bureaucracy where the authority is absurd and arbitrary, using examples of individuals like Josef K. who was a subject to dehumanizing system, exemplified in the line, “It’s only the verdict that counts ”. Machiavelli’s notion of virtù is the ability to navigate and control circumstances, he talks about a pragmatic and ruthless form of power needed to hold the crown, On the other hand w Kafka portrays a powerless individual who is being crushed by an incomprehensible and absurd legal system. This analysis explores how both the literary works highlight the moral ambiguities of power and the limitations of individual who are dominated under this power, shedding light on contrasting views of authority, human nature, and virtue.

Human nature often gravitates toward conflict rather than peace, as evidenced by widespread participation in combat-related activities and the increasing prevalence of mental health issues. While peace is idealized, statistics show that combat-cantered hobbies, such as violent sports and video games, dominate global culture. For instance, 64% of adults in the U.S. engage in video gaming, with many choosing violent games, and millions participate in aggressive sports like football and boxing. This preference for combat may stem from a deeper psychological need for excitement or dominance, which, paradoxically, aligns with rising mental health challenges. As psychologist Steven Pinker notes, "Our capacity for violence has not disappeared," highlighting a societal resistance to peace. The growing prevalence of anxiety, depression, and aggression correlates with these behaviours, suggesting that humans may struggle to find fulfilment in peace, instead seeking conflict as a means of expression.

This essay provides a critical review of Peter Ackroyd's biography, "Dickens," exploring the life and enduring legacy of the iconic novelist Charles Dickens. Ackroyd masterfully intertwines biographical details with literary analysis, revealing the profound influences of Dickens's personal experiences on his work. Through a close examination of major themes, character development, and social commentary in Dickens's novels, the essay highlights how Ackroyd's narrative captures the complexity of Dickens as both a man and an artist. Additionally, it addresses the biography's strengths in contextualizing Dickens within the social and political landscape of Victorian England, making it an essential read for anyone interested in the intricacies of one of literature's greatest figures.

In the dynamic international area, the emergence of new superpowers alongside the sustained influence of established powers, signals a significant shift in global dynamics. This article examines the multifaceted implications of the rising superpower landscape, highlighting the economic, political and military dimensions of their ascendance. Ultimately, this analysis underscores the necessity for a nuanced understanding of these rising powers, advocating collaborative approaches that mitigate risks while harnessing their potential to foster a more equitable and stable global system.