Book Details:
Mahatma Gandhi and his philosophy of truth and nonviolence have intrigued the world for decades. Looking at the Western and Indian influences that had gone into making Gandhi the Mahatma, and the central importance of Gandhi to nonviolent activism, these essays reclaim the power of truth and nonviolence, which can still change the destinies of people and nations.
In this collection Thomas Weber discusses Gandhi, his ideology, and how India and the rest of the world is interpreting and reinterpreting the Mahatma. The doctrine of conflict resolution theory, new environ-mentalism, peace research, deep ecology, and Buddhist economics based on Gandhian principles, renews the world’s belief in Mahatma and his teachings for our life and our times.
‘An era has passed. Perhaps in that sense, Gandhi is dead. But the Gandhians who are described (or ridiculed) in the literature of the Independence era … even though they have selflessly dedicated their lives to the Gandhian cause are not the sum total of Gandhism. … an active and vibrant Gandhism [is still alive] among the young of the country; among those who have returned to the basics of constructive work in the villages, who have taken the Mahatma’s last will and testament seriously. … the future of Indian Gandhism is in their hands. Long live Gandhi!’
As India celebrates the centenary of Mahatma Gandhi’s Satyagraha movement, it is more than ever that the world realizes the failure of violence to achieve anything, anywhere. A world torn apart looks back at Gandhi and his firmness in ‘(a) force, which is born of truth and love or non-violence’.
Gandhi, Gandhism and the Gandhians rediscovers Gandhi and his persona, his philosophy, and the way his followers have interpreted it for the changing times..
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Thomas Weber teaches politics and peace studies at Melbourne’s La Trobe University. He has been researching and writing on Gandhi’s life, thought and legacy for over twenty years. His Gandhi-related publications include Conflict Resolution and Gandhian Ethics; Hugging the Trees: The Story of the Chipko Movement; Gandhi’s Peace Army; On the Salt March; Nonviolent Intervention Across Borders (edited with Yeshua Moser-Puangsuwan); and Gandhi as Disciple and Mentor.
|
