ABSTRACT
A number of basic sociocultural characteristics formed the background and framework for the perceptual behavior of Nehru and his associates. An essential difference also exists between the Hindu and Confucian traditions and philosophies. Hinduism tends toward pluralism, in the sense that it recognizes the possibility and legitimacy of several world views coexisting in one society and lays emphasis on finding a common denominator among them. By contrast, the Sino-Centrist-Confucian world view admits only one truth. Another influential factor in the national frameworks on the thinking of the central policymakers was their interpretation of ancient and modern national history. This matter was very important from Jawaharlal Nehru’s point of view, as he tended to evaluate developments in light of and as part of the wider historical background, according to his own conception of history. Conceptions of role and status were relatively difficult to change given their sources, namely, the cultural historical heritage, the national ideology, and perceived geographical determinism.
