M.K. Gandhi | PSIR Optional for UPSC (Notes) PDF Download

Introduction

Gandhiji's Background and Influence:

• Gandhiji was born in 1869 and passed away in 1948. He is regarded as a profound representative of India's wisdom and culture, earning the title of Mahatma, meaning "great soul."
• He is seen as a social reformer,economist,political philosopher, and a seeker of truth, playing a pivotal role in the Indian national movement.
• Gandhiji transformed the Indian National Congress into a mass movement, teaching people non-violent methods to fight against injustice.
• His emphasis on individual liberty,truth, and self-realization shaped his philosophy and actions.

Gandhiji's Philosophy and Approach:

• Gandhiji's philosophy engaged deeply with modernity, critiquing industrialization, materialism, and selfish pursuits.
• He advocated for swadeshi(self-sufficiency),trusteeship, and a form of swaraj(self-rule) democracy, emphasizing bottom-up decision-making.
• His vision included a minimal state focused on decentralization and supporting autonomous individuals.

Spiritual Perspective and Writings:

• Gandhiji's approach was rooted in spirituality,morality, and ethics. His key principles were the pursuit of truth and non-violence.
• Notable writings include An Autobiography: The Story of My Experiments with Truth,The Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi,Panchayati Raj,Satygraha in South Africa,Sarvodaya, and Hind Swaraj.
• He also edited Young India, later renamed Harijan, which served as his platform for expressing ideas.

Influences and Legacy:

• Gandhiji was influenced by various thinkers like Tolstoy,Ruskin,Thoreau,Swami Vivekananda,Gokhale, and Tilak.
• He was well-read, translating works like Plato's Republic into Gujarati, and maintained correspondence with prominent figures of his time.
• His life was marked by extensive travel across India, engaging with people from all walks of life. His assassination in 1948 marked the end of a life dedicated to courage,conscience,service, and universal love.

Philosophical Foundations of Gandhi's Political Perspective

Gandhiji's Religious Perspective and Its Impact on His Life and Work:

• Gandhiji was a deeply religious individual, and this perspective significantly influenced his politics, economic ideas, and societal views. However, his religious approach was distinct from that of many others.
• He believed that most religious individuals he encountered were merely politicians in disguise. In contrast, he considered himself a religious man pretending to be a politician. His true inclination was towards spirituality, not politics.
• Gandhiji accepted the concept of the inner oneness of all existence within the cosmic spirit. He viewed all living beings as representatives of the eternal divine reality. For him, the divine presence enveloped the entire world and manifested in men and women.
• He believed that the ultimate goal of life was self-realization, which involved seeing God face to face or realizing the absolute Truth. This, according to him, required identifying oneself with all of mankind, necessitating participation in politics.
• Politics, in Gandhiji's view, was the primary means of engaging with the world, and this engagement was expressed through service. He was clear that Truth could not be attained by merely retreating to the Himalayas or getting lost in rituals, but through active engagement with the world.
• Gandhiji emphasized that man's ultimate aim is the realization of God, and all activities—social, political, and religious—should be guided by this vision. He believed that the immediate service of all human beings was essential because the only way to find God was by seeing Him in His Creation and becoming one with it.
• He asserted that self-realization could only be achieved through self-purification. The fasts, prayers, and acts of service he undertook were all aimed at this goal.
• In his Autobiography, Gandhiji explained that self-realization required self-purification as its ethical foundation. A person's moral life, according to him, emerges from an inward search into the self and expresses itself through outward activities of fellowship and concern for others.
• He emphasized the importance of moral discipline for social reconstruction and advocated five moral principles: truth, non-violence, non-stealing, non-possession, and celibacy. Observing these principles would purify individuals and enable them to strive for self-realization.

Views on Human Nature

Gandhiji's Views on Man, Human Nature, and Society:

• Gandhiji believed that people are not perfect, but what matters is the desire to improve.
• He thought that even the most flawed individuals have a spiritual side and the potential for goodness.
• Gandhiji trusted in human nature, believing that people respond positively to kind and noble actions.
• He emphasized the importance of self-awareness and the urge to recognize and realize the divine within oneself.
• While acknowledging that humans can be violent by nature, he believed that when people connect with their spiritual side, they naturally become non-violent.
• Gandhiji argued that moral qualities such as love, cooperation, and tolerance are stronger in people than negative traits like violence and selfishness.
• He was confident that the collective energy of humanity is aimed at uplifting and improving society.
• Gandhiji also believed in the universal potential of every person, asserting that the soul's capacity for growth and development is the same for everyone, which is what sets humans apart from other creatures.

Relationship Between Religion and Politics

Gandhiji's Perspective on Religion and Politics:

• In the modern world, there was an attempt to separate religion from politics, making religion a private matter.
• Religious beliefs were not meant to influence the political sphere.
• In response to this separation,Gandhiji advocated for the re-integration of religion into public life.
• He believed in a close connection between the well-being of a society (polity) and religious values.

Concept of Religion

What does Religion Stand for?

• Religion, according to Gandhiji, represents the pursuit of truth and righteousness. He believed in the fundamental truth shared by all major religions, emphasizing that they are essentially one and mutually supportive.
• Gandhiji argued that each individual has a unique conception of God, yet all seek the same divine truth. He distinguished between religion and ethics, asserting that while ethical principles are common across religions, beliefs and practices vary.
• He viewed religion as a means to connect with the deeper truths within ourselves and the universe, transcending specific faiths like Hinduism, Islam, or Christianity.
• Gandhiji saw religions as different paths leading to the same ultimate truth. He rejected sectarianism and the idea of one religion being superior to another, believing that such claims hinder personal and collective spiritual growth.

Understanding Religious Diversity

• Gandhiji acknowledged the diversity of religions as valid, suggesting that each might need a unique symbol. However, he cautioned against using these symbols to assert superiority, advocating for a harmonious understanding of all faiths.
• He believed that the core of religion is a belief in the moral governance of the universe, which, though unseen, is profoundly real. This core transcends individual religions, harmonizing and giving reality to them.
• In essence, Gandhiji viewed religion as a personal and evolving journey towards truth, where the distinct paths of various faiths ultimately converge.

Concept of Politics

Gandhiji's Perspective on Politics and Society:

• For Gandhiji, politics was just one aspect of human life. He believed that while political power could help improve people's lives, an increase in state power often harmed humanity by suppressing individuality, which he saw as crucial for progress.
• He viewed political power as a tool for enabling people to enhance their conditions across various aspects of life. Politics, in his view, was an empowering activity.
• Gandhiji stated that his work in social reform was not less important than his political efforts. He realized that his social work needed political support to some extent, which is why he engaged in political work to the extent that it aided his social objectives.
• He believed that political activity is closely linked with other human activities and that all these activities influence one another. For Gandhiji, "life is one indivisible whole," and all his activities were interconnected.
• What he disliked about politics was the concentration of power and the use of violence associated with political authority.

Relationship between Religion and Politics

Gandhi’s View on the Relationship Between Politics and Religion:

• Politics and religion are closely intertwined in Gandhi's view. He believed that politics without a religious or ethical foundation is meaningless.
• Gandhi argued that politics should create conditions for individuals to pursue their own self-realization, which he considered a fundamental objective of life.
• He emphasized the importance of a politics that is rooted in universal values, such as toleration and the welfare of all, rather than divisive or superstitious beliefs.
• For Gandhi, engaging in politics was a way to lead a religious life, as he believed that true religiousness involves identifying with all of humanity.
• He saw political activity as a means to achieve self-rule and social harmony, where individuals obey societal rules voluntarily without external force.
• Gandhi viewed political power not as an end in itself but as a tool to improve people's lives and regulate public affairs according to ethical principles.
• In his ideal vision, society would be self-regulated and non-violent, with everyone respecting each other's self-rule, leading to a state without political power.

Unity of Ends and Means

Relation Between Ends and Means in Gandhian Philosophy:

• Gandhian philosophy emphasizes the relationship between ends and means, viewing them as interconnected.
• Gandhiji believed that means and ends are inseparable, with one leading to the other, similar to the scientific principle of cause and effect.
• For Gandhiji, achieving a noble end through impure means was unacceptable.

Relationship between Means and Ends

Gandhi's Philosophy of Means and Ends:

• Gandhi believed that the relationship between means and ends is fundamental and interconnected. He argued that in his philosophy of life, means and ends are interchangeable.
• He challenged the notion that means are merely tools, asserting that means are everything. The quality of the means directly impacts the quality of the end.
• Gandhi emphasized that while we can control the means, we cannot control the ends. He believed that the realization of a goal is directly proportional to the means used to achieve it.
• He stated, "If one takes care of the means, the end will take care of itself," highlighting the importance of focusing on the means.
• Gandhi rejected the idea that good ends could justify impure means. He insisted that truthful conduct is essential for reaching the truth.
• He viewed means and ends as intricately connected, with non-violence and truth being two sides of the same coin.
• Drawing inspiration from the Gita, Gandhi advocated for atmasakti, or detachment from the fruits of action. He believed that if the means are pure and the motive is right, the desired outcome will follow.
• Gandhi's approach to action focused on the conservation and progressive use of means. He was convinced that by taking care of the means, the attainment of the goal is assured.
• Although his method may seem lengthy, he believed it to be the shortest path to success.

Satya, Satyagraha and Ahimsa

Truth (Satya) and God:

• For Gandhiji, Truth is synonymous with God. He later revised the phrase "God is Truth" to "Truth is God," considering it a key insight from his life experiences.
• He believed that Truth is the only reality, and what does not exist is untruth. Human life, in his view, is a journey in search of Truth or God.

Understanding Truth:

• Gandhiji defined truth as what one’s inner self perceives at any moment. It is the answer to one’s conscience and aligns with one’s moral values.
• He emphasized that knowledge leads one to truth, while ignorance moves one away from it.

Satyagraha:

• Satyagraha, meaning the urge for Truth, is about holding onto truth through moral and non-violent means. It involves persuading rather than coercing opponents.
• Gandhiji described Satyagraha as a moral weapon that does not harbor ill feelings towards adversaries. It is non-violent, constructive, and strengthens opponents morally.
• A Satyagrahi, according to Gandhiji, is someone who is truthful, non-violent, and devoid of malice, dedicated to serving all.

Non-violence and Love:

• Gandhiji believed that non-violence, defined as love, is essential for attaining truth. Non-violence should be positive, meaning love for others, and negative, meaning no harm to others in words or deeds.
• He differentiated between types of non-violence: the non-violence of the brave, the weak, and the coward. He considered violence a better option than cowardice.

Means and Ends:

• Gandhiji saw Love, Truth, God, and Non-violence as interconnected. He believed that the ultimate goal of life, whether it be Truth, God, or Self-realization, can only be achieved through non-violence or ahimsa.
• Through non-violence, one appeals to the inherent truth in people, encouraging them to realize it within themselves and join the collective pursuit of truth, even alongside former adversaries.

Concept of' Swaraj

Gandhiji's Concept of Swaraj:

• Swaraj is not just about freeing India from British rule; it's about self-rule and self-control.
• Gandhiji emphasized that Swaraj is not merely transferring power to Indians or achieving political self-determination. It's about freeing oneself from all internal and external bondages and involves self-purification.
• He believed that real Swaraj comes from the capacity of all people to resist authority when abused, not from the acquisition of authority by a few.
• Swaraj means the power of the people to determine their own fate and shape their destiny through their own efforts. It involves educating the masses to regulate and control authority.
• Gandhiji gave Swaraj a deeper meaning than mere 'Independence.' He saw it as freedom for all coupled with self-control by all. It's about the inner strength and capacity of people to understand and control their social world.
• He believed that outward freedom is proportional to inward freedom, and achieving reform from within is crucial.
• Non-violence is key to attaining such freedom and self-control. When non-violence becomes a part of our thoughts, words, and deeds, duty prevails over rights.
• Swaraj is inclusive of all, regardless of race, religion, or community. It is not just for the educated but also for the maimed, blind, starving, and toiling millions.
• Gandhiji clarified that Swaraj does not mean the rule of the majority community (Hindus) but equality among all communities.
• Swaraj is about government based on the consent of the people, and democracy is about the inner freedom of individuals to regulate their desires and impulses with reason.
• His concept of Swaraj includes economic,social,political, and international dimensions. Economic Swaraj stands for social justice and the good of all, including the weakest. Social Swaraj focuses on equal status, and Political Swaraj aims at improving people's conditions in all aspects of life. Internationally, Swaraj emphasizes interdependence and extending services across state-made frontiers.

On Parliamentary Democracy

• Gandhiji's View on Democracy: Gandhiji believed that democracy is not just about the rule of the majority. He offered various definitions of democracy, which, when combined, suggest that it involves mobilizing the physical, economic, and spiritual resources of all people for the common good.
• True Democracy: According to Gandhiji, true democracy or Swaraj cannot be achieved through untruthful and violent means. He emphasized that individual freedom can only thrive under a regime of Ahimsa (non-violence).
• Democracy as Reflection and Deliberation: Gandhiji viewed democracy as a process that includes everyone. He believed in teaching individuals to think for themselves and stressed the importance of mutual toleration and understanding different perspectives.
• Adult Suffrage and Character in Candidates: Gandhiji supported adult suffrage as a means to protect the interests of all, including minorities, the poor, dalits, peasants, and women. He hoped that voters would prioritize candidates' qualifications over caste, community, or party affiliation, emphasizing the need for men and women of character in legislatures.
• Vision for Independent India: In 1931, Gandhiji envisioned an independent India free from thraldom and patronage. He imagined a nation where the poorest felt a sense of ownership, where all communities lived in harmony, and where untouchability and substance abuse were eradicated. He advocated for equal rights for women, peace with the rest of the world, a minimal army, and respect for all interests not conflicting with the majority.
• India of His Dreams: Gandhiji's dream for India was one without class distinctions, where every community lived in harmony, and where the interests of the millions were prioritized over foreign or indigenous conflicts. He sought a nation where everyone had an effective voice in its making.

Gram Swaraj or Development from Below

According to Gandhian thinking, democracy can only function smoothly and in line with the concept of swaraj if it is decentralized. Gandhi believed that centralization is incompatible with a non-violent society and advocated for the transfer of power from cities to villages.

Gandhi's Theory of Oceanic Circle: When envisioning a decentralized system of governance, Gandhi proposed his theory of the Oceanic Circle. He described this concept as follows:

• In a structure made up of countless villages, there will be ever-expanding circles, not a pyramid with a peak supported by the base.
• Life will be like an oceanic circle where the individual is at the center, ready to sacrifice for the village, which in turn sacrifices for the circle of villages, until the whole is a life made up of individuals who are humble and not aggressive.
• The outermost circle will not dominate the inner circles but will provide strength to all within and derive its own strength from them.

Despite being criticized as utopian, Gandhi defended this vision, comparing it to Euclid's point, which, although impossible to draw, holds enduring value.

Gandhi's Vision for Villages: Gandhi envisioned villages as the building blocks of democracy, with each village having an annually elected Panchayat to manage its affairs.

• Each village would be autonomous yet interdependent, following the oceanic circle theory.
• Gandhi described his idea of village swaraj as a complete republic independent of its neighbors for essential needs but dependent on others for various necessities.

Ideas on the Economy

Gandhiji's Economic Thought:

• Gandhiji's political philosophy significantly influenced his economic ideas, which were built around key normative principles:
• Equality and Non-Exploitation: The economic process should promote equality and prevent exploitation.
• Full Employment: The economic activities must ensure full employment for all.
• Low-Priced Consumer Goods: Goods produced should be affordable and meet the needs of the population.
• Public Sector for Sophisticated Technology: Industries involving advanced technology should be in the public sector.
• Equal Distribution: No mass production should occur without equal distribution of resources.
• At the heart of Gandhiji's economic thought were the principles of equality and social justice.
• He emphasized the need for economic policies to be based on need rather than want, addressing irrational desires that lead to inequality.
• In technologically advanced nations, consumption does not always match production levels; therefore, Gandhiji advocated for labour-intensive technologies over capital-intensive ones.
• His vision of economics emphasized social justice, full employment, and harmonious relations between labour and capital.
• Gandhiji versus Capitalism and Communism: While he opposed the exploitative nature of capitalism, he also criticized communism. For Gandhiji, individual freedom, dignity, and a fulfilling life were more important than economic progress promised by either system.
• Morality and Ethics in Economics: Gandhiji believed that true economics should align with the highest ethical standards. Economics that promotes wealth accumulation at the expense of the weak is considered false and detrimental.
• Human-Centric Economics: In Gandhian economics, the focus is on the human being. Every individual has the right to basic needs such as food, clothing, shelter, education, health, and self-esteem.
• He argued against the monopolization of these essentials by any country or group, advocating for their free availability to all.
• Gandhiji believed in utilizing all human labor before resorting to mechanical power, emphasizing real planning as the optimal use of India's manpower and the distribution of raw products within the country.

Sarvodaya: The Rise of All

Gandhiji's Critique of Capitalism and Socialism:

• Critique of Capitalism: Gandhiji observed that despite America being the most industrialized nation, it still faced significant poverty. He noted that this was due to the concentration of power and wealth in the hands of a few, neglecting the universal manpower.
• Critique of Socialism: While acknowledging the advancements in industrialization in socialist countries like Russia, Gandhiji felt that the loss of individuality and human dignity was a major drawback. He emphasized the importance of each individual being a fully developed member of society.
• Violence in Socialism: Gandhiji believed that socialism, despite its noble aims, was often intertwined with violence. He criticized the violent methods sometimes employed by socialists to achieve reform.
• Individual Freedom: Gandhiji argued that true socialism should allow for individual freedom and the expression of personality. He was against systems where individuals owned nothing, not even their own bodies.
• Sarvodaya Concept:In contrast to capitalism and socialism, Gandhiji proposed the concept of Sarvodaya, which is based on three principles:
  • The good of the individual is linked to the good of all.
  • All forms of work, whether by a lawyer or a barber, have equal value and the same right to earn a livelihood.
  • A life of labor, such as that of a farmer or craftsman, is the most commendable.

Theory of Trusteeship

Gandhiji's Concept of Trusteeship in Economics:

• Gandhiji introduced the idea of trusteeship in economics, aiming for complete equality in meeting the basic needs of all individuals, including animals.
• He believed that while basic needs should be met for everyone, there should also be incentives for people to be economically active and productive. This could result in some individuals having more than they need, leading to wealth without poverty.
• To prevent the wealthy from using their property for selfish purposes or to dominate others, Gandhiji proposed the concept of trusteeship. He explained that everything belongs to God and is meant for all His people, not just for individuals. Those who have more than their fair share become trustees for the excess, managing it for the benefit of others.
• Gandhiji envisioned trusteeship as a gift from India to the world, fostering a society without exploitation or conflict.
• He elaborated on the idea of trusteeship, suggesting that a trustee could nominate a successor with legal approval.
• The core ideas of trusteeship include:
• Equal Opportunity: All humans are born equal and have the right to equal opportunities, ensuring that basic needs are fully met.
• Trusteeship of Excess: Individuals with greater production capacity must consider themselves as trustees for the surplus beyond their basic needs.
• Rejection of Violence: Distribution of produce through violence and force is unacceptable.

Evils of Industrialism

• Gandhiji opposed large-scale industrialization because it caused problems like exploitation of villagers,urbanization, and environmental pollution.
• He advocated for manufacturing to be done in and by the villages to ensure that the majority of Indians remained employed, could meet their basic needs, and stayed self-reliant.
• Gandhiji was not against the use of modern machines, but only if they did not lead to unemployment or exploitation.
• He viewed the existing industrialization as a disease and believed that modern machines were not essential for the welfare of humanity.
• Gandhiji criticized industrialism and the industrial mentality, fearing it would lead to exploitation and conflict between nations.
• He believed that if India became industrialized by exploiting others, it would become a menace to the world.
• Due to these views, Gandhiji promoted the boycott of mill-made cloth and encouraged the production of handmade cloth in every household, especially in rural areas.
• His efforts to promote Khadi were just the beginning of a larger movement to support village industries.
• Gandhiji's concept of basic education(nai taleem) was linked to his vision for village industries.

Concept of Swadeshi

Gandhi's Concept of Swaraj and Swadeshi:

• Swaraj means more than just political freedom for Gandhi. It signifies self-control and personal governance.
• Swadeshi is about using the services and products from our immediate surroundings, promoting local resources over distant ones.
• Gandhi believed that the poverty of the masses is largely due to the abandonment of swadeshi principles in economic and industrial practices.
• Swadeshi aims to strengthen local units while fostering cooperative relations with neighboring communities.
• Each village should strive to be self-supporting and self-contained, exchanging only necessary goods with others.
• Self-sufficiency does not imply complete isolation. Communities will still need to trade for items they cannot produce locally.
• Decentralization and Cooperation are essential aspects of Swadeshi. While self-sufficiency is important,interdependence is equally vital for social harmony.
• Gandhi's Swadeshi concept is broad:In religion, it means being true to ancestral beliefs;In politics, using local institutions;In economics, prioritizing local products even if they are of lower quality or more expensive.
• Swadeshi does not entail a hatred for foreign goods. Gandhi acknowledged the need for foreign-made items, particularly medicines and life-saving drugs, if they are not available locally.

Summary

Consistency in Gandhi's Political Ideas:

• Gandhi viewed man as a spiritual being with a divine essence, prioritizing self-realization for everyone.
• Despite human imperfections and material desires, he believed in an innate drive for spiritual growth.
• Critiquing modernity, Gandhi emphasized the need to prioritize spiritual over material interests.

Religion and Politics:

• Gandhi saw religion as inherently linked to politics, believing that political engagement provides opportunities for service, a core aspect of religion.
• He respected all religions, acknowledging their truths while recognizing their flaws.
• For Gandhi, ends and means were interconnected; he argued that good ends do not justify inappropriate means.
• Truth, equated with God, and nonviolence were inseparable in his philosophy.

Power and Swaraj:

• Gandhi acknowledged the necessity of power in the absence of a self-regulated society, or swaraj, but viewed political power as a means, not an end.
• Swaraj, to Gandhi, encompassed more than political freedom; it represented self-control and individual mastery over thoughts, words, and actions.
• Collective swaraj would lead to an ideal society.

Democracy and Socio-Political Systems:

• Gandhi saw democracy as a means to mobilize resources for the common good, achievable only through truth and nonviolence.
• He critiqued capitalism, communism, and socialism for inadequately addressing individual freedom, equality, and dignity.
• Advocating for sarvodaya, or the rise of all, Gandhi emphasized meeting basic needs and ensuring equal consideration for everyone.

Gandhian Economics:

• Gandhi rejected the concept of Homo economicus, promoting an economic model focused on meeting basic needs through self-employment.
• He believed in minimizing wants and aligning them with essential human striving.
• Trusteeship, in Gandhi's view, balanced creativity, initiative, freedom, and equitable distribution of goods.

Decentralization and Swadeshi:

• Gandhi advocated for a village-based, decentralized governance system, envisioning villages as self-governing republics with autonomy yet interdependence.
• He supported swadeshi, promoting local fulfillment of basic needs.
• Despite facing opposition, Gandhi remained steadfast in his ideas and practices.