Gāndhiji’s life and his writings are affecting lives of many all over the world. He was a prolific writer and the British jails gave him ample time and opportunity to think, digest, and write. There are a lot of struggles going on now in the world that could learn from his methods and teachings. Today we have a lot of millionaires in the world who buy expensive cars, travel by private jet planes, have secret bank accounts in tax heavens (hoarding), and at the other extreme we have poverty, malnourishment, starvation, homelessness, illiteracy, and unemployment. Millions have been forced to leave their homes and become refugees because of violence, persecution, or in search of basic necessities of life like water, food, work or shelter. Citizens who participate in non-violent and violent street protests are shot at and killed. There is environmental degradation, pollution, and multi-national corporations evading taxes, paying their executives millions of dollars for doing their dirty job, and making huge profits. Then there are defense contractors paying politicians to win elections and then controlling governments and promoting wars. Politicians and religious leaders living in palaces, traveling in private jets and yachts, and living a life of luxury. The population of the world is increasing at an unsustainable rate of 1 BILLION every 12 years. This will eventually lead to violent wars, refugees, and deaths of millions of people. There are millions who have fled the war in Iraq and Syria and hundreds of thousands from North African countries risk their lives to go to Europe for work, food and water to drink.
Many politicians and business people think they cannot do their job if they adhere to moral and ethical principles. Truth, non-violence, universal love, etc., were taught by religious leaders and philosophers but practiced by a very few. They were absolutely out of the realm of kings and politicians. Gāndhiji not only talked about these principles but put them in practice in his fight against a mighty, well armed, and brutal regime. People who read and believe history books written by loyal and biased British historians and politicians think that it was not the efforts of Gāndhiji that brought freedom to India but because the British were just and generous gentlemen. The truth is far from this belief. The Round Table Conferences were convened because the non-cooperation movement made a significant dent in the British economy. His success gave hope and strength to many leaders all over the world from the United States of America, South Africa, Myanmar, Poland, to California and beyond. Gāndhiji’s example of patience and perseverance are also worth emulating for those who want peaceful revolution.
How has Mohandās Karamchand Gāndhi’s life affected us in twenty-first century? Even Anne Frank hiding in the attic from the Germans during World War II had heard about Gāndhiji. Are our political, religious, and business leaders listening to his message? There are a some who talk openly about him and give him some credit but very a few who put his principles in practice.
Gāndhiji was always observing and analyzing. He was trying to find the root causes of violence in the world and came up with ‘seven deadly sins’ that he shared with his grandson, Arun Gāndhi, just before his death. It was his firm belief that these social sins were the root cause of physical violence in the world:
1. Wealth without work
2. Pleasure without conscience
3. Knowledge without character
4. Commerce without morality
5. Science without humanity
6. Worship without sacrifice
7. Politics without principle
To this list his grandson, Arun Gāndhi, added eighth one:
8. Rights without Responsibilities
And Allen Roland added a ninth one:
9. Power without Benevolence
These circumstances may lead to feelings of frustration, anger, hatred, and revenge in the people who are taken advantage of. The weak and the exploited may resort to violence when people in power (political, wealth, knowledge, birth in higher-class, physical strength, etc.) misuse their power to take undue advantage of the weak.
2. “Pleasure without conscience” – when people think that everyone and everything is created for their pleasure and they can exploit/use them as they please. Hunting or killing animals, birds, or fish for pleasure or as a sport would come under this category. There are some of us who use natural resources for their pleasure without thinking about consequences.
3. Knowledge without character – schools and universities imparting knowledge without teaching how that knowledge should be used to improve the lives of all and when educated use this knowledge only for their own selfish gains.
4. Commerce without morality – seventeenth century onwards European countries conquered a lot of countries in Asia, Africa and the Americas to rob these countries of their natural resources. The powerless became poor and starving nations of the world labelled as ‘third world countries’. There are some giant multi-national corporations that drill for oil or mine for rare metals and pollute the land. Giant factory ships that deplete the oceans of fish or fishermen who remove one fin of a shark and throw away rest of the fish in to ocean to die of starvation belong to this category.
5. Science without humanity – scientific discoveries and know how are used to make atomic bombs and other weapons of mass destruction.
6. Worship without sacrifice – large, fancy temples, churches & mosques are built to satisfy the ego of some religious leaders while selfless work to benefit the poor or needy is neglected. There are religious leaders who mislead their followers and ask them to commit violence.
7. Politics without principle – During President Obama’s first term (2008 - 2012), the Republicans in Congress blocked all measures to improve conditions for common people in the US just so that he does not win a second term. Politicians accepting contributions from large corporations or professional groups or weapons’ manufacturers and favoring these companies or groups after the election shows failure of the system of democratic governments.
Arun Gāndhi, Mahātmā’s grandson, added:
8. Rights without Responsibilities - Some trade unions have gained tremendous power and have used these to demand more and more rights for their workers without thinking about the consequences of their actions on the society.
Allen L. Roland added:
9. Power without Benevolence - Some presidents or kings have started very destructive wars just because they had large armed forces and a lot of fire power. They unleash these for frivolous reasons and cause great damage and destruction.
During his life time, Gāndhiji tried to change, reform, and remove colonialism of the British in India, the oppressive aspect of caste system, discord among different religious groups, improve living conditions of the poor, untouchables, and women; promote simple living, and an outline of how to create a ‘true democracy - a government of the people, by the people and for the people. He wanted these changes to be brought about without force, bribery, and false promises. Gāndhiji raised the level of awareness of all Indians making them conscious of ‘what they had become under the British rule and give up their idea that Indians were inferior in every way. He wanted them to feel that they had talent, courage, and were capable of governing themselves.
“The bond of the slave is snapped the moment he considers himself to be a free being.”
M. K. Gāndhi
Albert Einstein, the great scientist, and Gāndhiji had exchanged letters and ideas. Einstein wrote:
“You have shown by all you have done that we can achieve the ideal even without resorting to violence. We can conquer those votaries of violence by the non-violence method. Your example will inspire humanity to put an end to a conflict based on violence with international help and cooperation, guaranteeing peace of the world. With this expression of my devotion and admiration I hope to be able to meet you face to face.”
Albert Einstein, 27 September 1931
Later, on Gāndhiji’s 70th birthday (Oct. 2, 1939) he sent a special message as follows:
“Mahātmā Gāndhi’s life’s work is unique in political history. He has devised a quite a new and humane method for fostering the struggle for liberation of his suppressed people and has implemented it with greatest energy and devotion. The enormous influence which it has exerted on the consciously thinking people of the entire civilized world might be far more lasting than may appear in our time of overestimation of brutal method of force. For only the work of such statement is lasting who by example and education action awaken and establish the moral forces of their people.”
Albert Einstein, 2 October 1939
Some people with narrow tunnel vision have judged Gāndhiji harshly, criticizing him for almost everything he did. Hindus found fault with the way he tried to work with Muslim leaders. Muslims found fault with him because he was a staunch Hindu, was against dividing India and creation of Pakistan. Dalits (untouchables) did not like him because he was against giving them more privileges than everyone else in India - a quota system for jobs and admission to higher education, even when there were more qualified people. They proved the proverbial saying, "Some can't see the forest for the trees" to be correct. There are even academics who have focused on details and neglected to see the big picture. The British, like Sir Winston Churchill, who wanted to exploit the whole world, hated him for very obvious reasons.
Gāndhiji used to receive many of letters from people all over the world. Some people would criticize him very severely. After reading one such critical letter, he removed a paper clip from that letter and threw the letter in waste paper basket. His secretary asked if he was going to reply to that letter. Gāndhiji said, “I have kept the useful part of that letter.” He compared people who criticized a lot without good reason to ‘sanitary inspector’ - someone who is always looking for ‘dirt’ or ‘garbage’.
The greatest contribution to the humanity at large was his insistence on truth and non-violence in fighting against the rulers who had used violence, brute force, treachery, deceit and all the negative, immoral, and unethical tactics described in any history book or spy novel. There were many forces working against him but he persevered and stuck to his principles. The future leaders of various countries of the world will follow suite or not will determine the future of the future of human race. This has been discussed in detail in previous chapter on ‘Civil Disobedience’.
Gāndhiji was a good observer of the all different kinds of governments that were prevalent in his time and before that. He saw the drawbacks of the method of governance by British Parliamentary system. The members of the parliament had to vote according to party lines and not what was right for the country or was ethical. The Western model of democracy takes care of the wealthy and the powerful people more than the weak and the poor. The politicians need money (donations) from the wealthy to get elected. After the election, they need to pay back the donors by doing them favors. The theocratic, socialist and military dictatorships have too much power in the hands of a few who exploit the whole population.
Throughout history he had seen the problems of kings and dictators. Lately we have seen the political gridlock in the US as arguments heat up between Republicans and Democrats. Then there are the religious zealots who have carried out pogroms (ethnic cleansing) in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and many other countries. Our civilization has not yet found an ideal system of government.
Most of the politicians and even general public feels that there is no place for truth, honesty, or openness in politics. Politicians cannot survive if he or she followed the high ground of morals and ethics. Gāndhiji had exactly opposite views. He informed the rulers about his plans and even asked all his followers to adhere to the path of truth and non-violence.
In many so called democratic governments policy decisions are usually made that help those in power to win the next election or support the rich donors who contributed money to the winning candidates. Most political leaders think about how to win the next election or how to get a nice picture in the newspaper. Quite a few leaders’ main goal is to increase their personal power, prestige, prosperity or place in history books. Under a dictatorship the decisions are made according to the whims of the dictator or party’s philosophy. Gāndhiji’s basis for making decisions were based on whether it would help the most deprived or needy person. His advise to the politicians, people in power, businessmen, and decision makers was to:
“Recall the face of the poorest and the most helpless man whom you may have seen and ask yourself if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him. Will he be able to gain anything by it? Will it restore him to a control over his own life and destiny?...Then you will find your doubts and yourself melting away.”
M. K. Gāndhi
This was the yardstick recommended by Gāndhiji to measure and judge all political, business, and economic decisions.
Speaking the truth all the time is very difficult for a politician. It requires making all decisions and action plans in the ‘open’ with total transparency. Very few politicians have the courage to follow this path even in a democratic country. In this day and age of ‘so called’ democracy, politicians are always thinking of ‘how to win the next election’. They are busy trying to please wealthy business leaders to donate money for their next election campaign. At the same time, they do not wish general public to know their true colors. Gāndhiji practiced and recommended complete truthfulness in politics and every other sphere of life.
“Nothing should be done secretly. This is an open rebellion. In this struggle secrecy is a sin.”
M. K. Gāndhi, 8 August 1942
in All India Congress Committee meeting.
Gāndhiji’s principle of non-violence would not let anyone inflict any harm to even a single person. On the other extreme, some leaders would not hesitate to endanger lives of millions for their own or their country’s benefit.
Gāndhi went around India, visited towns and villages, talked to people of all religions and social strata to find out firsthand ‘what was happening’. He discussed with all, rich and poor, educated and uneducated, high caste and low caste; about various solutions. Then he came up with plans for Satyāgraha in India. He won the hearts of people by first serving them. It was not easy convincing everyone to join him at first but slowly and steadily millions followed him.
Swa means my and rāj means to rule. Literal translation of swarāj would mean independence. Swarāj means self-rule and it is much more than democracy. The power is not centralized in the hands of a few. Everyone is expected to be knowledgeable, disciplined, and live by the highest moral and ethical principles. Everyone participates in the local governance and decisions are made based on ‘what is good for all’. Social transformation is brought about with full knowledge and participation of all involved and not through coercion or bribery. Gāndhi’s idea of swarāj had two components, one spiritual and other physical or political. The spiritual swarāj was won by transformation of each individual by removal of all negative tendencies like greed, fear, hate, jealousy, etc., and developing universal love. The liberated person would live according to the highest values described in Bhagavad Gitā without cravings for any material things and at peace with himself and his environment.
Democracy or freedom in the West means free elections, freedom of making tons of money, own a big house, a fancy car, equal right to education, jobs, etc. These are external freedoms. Gāndhiji’s freedom meant freedom from desire, anger, violence, jealousy, bad habits, etc. The Western model of society with its uncontrolled desires to own and exploit cannot be sustained and will eventually lead to disaster.
“Democracy must in essence mean the art and science of mobilizing the entire physical, economic, and spiritual resources of all the various sections of the people in the service of the common good of all.”
M. Gāndhi in “Harijan”, 27 May 1939
If each person lived according to the highest moral and ethical principles, for the common good of all, then there is no need for government. This is the ideal but at present we are far from achieving it.
Gāndhi wrote a book describing what he envisioned India as an ideal independent nation in ‘Hind Swaraj’ (1909). It was to Indians like the ‘Declaration of Independence’ was for the Americans. It was first published in ‘Indian Opinion’ as an interview with a reporter. In this book he described the Parliamentary democracy in England as follows:
“That which you consider to be the Mother of Parliaments is like a sterile woman and a prostitute. Both these are harsh terms, but exactly fit the case. That Parliament has not yet, of its own accord done a single good thing. Hence, I have compared it to a sterile woman. The natural condition of that Parliament is such that, without outside pressure, it can do nothing. It is like a prostitute because it is under the control of ministers who change from time to time...
...it is generally acknowledged that the members are hypocritical and selfish. Each thinks of his own little interest. It is fear that is the guiding motive...
When the greatest questions are debated its members have been seen to stretch themselves and to doze...
Carlyle has called it the "talking shop of the world"...
Members vote for their party without a thought...
“The Prime Minister is more concerned about his power than about
the welfare of Parliament. His energy is concentrated upon securing
the success of his party. His care is not always that Parliament shall
do right...
they cannot be considered really patriotic...
I do not hesitate to say that they have neither real honesty nor a living
Conscience…”
M. K. Gāndhi in “Hind Swaraj”, 1909
Present day democracies (Early twenty-first century) are not very different from this description given by Gāndhi in early 1900s. The politicians are paid much better than most. They get ‘donations’ from the wealthy so that they can win the next election and take care of the ‘needs’ of the few wealthy donors who helped them.
“Democracy cannot be worked by twenty men sitting at the centre. For it has to be worked from below by the people from every village.”
M. K. Gāndhi
Most people believe what they read in the newspapers, school text books, and see on TV. Recent inquiry in Rupert Murdoch’s news empire has shown how true Gāndhi’s observations were a hundred years ago. Stephen Kinzer in his books have written about how the successive democratic governments of United States of America and United Kingdom have overthrown democratically elected government in Iran and many other countries to support interests of their multi-national giants. It is alleged that they have used their money and media to influence the outcome in elections in the largest democracy - India in 2014. Their historians, media and politicians always portray themselves as virtuous saints who promote truth, justice, democracy, etc.
“To the English voters their newspaper is their Bible. They take their cue from their newspapers which are often dishonest...”
M. K. Gāndhi in “Hind Swaraj”, 1909
In Hind Swaraj, Gāndhi tried to show the drawbacks of modern civilization. It is true that Europeans and North Americans have modern houses, a variety of clothes, and gadgets to make life more comfortable. They have fast transportation, modern farming and other types of machines to reduce pain of physical labour. Their schools and universities give a lot of information, train them in various professions that enable them to earn a lot of money and have a very comfortable life. These are the signs of an advanced ‘civilization’. Other nations who do not have these are considered ‘third world’ countries. Everyone wants to be as rich and comfortable as the Europeans and North Americans.
“Formerly, men were made slaves under physical compulsion. Now they are enslaved by temptation of money and of the luxuries that money can buy.”
M. K. Gāndhi in “Hind Swaraj”, 1909
One hundred years later, we know that this life style has created an epidemic of obesity and secondary diseases like diabetes, fast food, expensive - almost unaffordable medicine, frivolous law suits, exploitation of poor in ‘third world’ countries, environmental degradation, pollution and a myriad of other problems. Unfortunately, our Nobel Prize winning economists and Oxford and Harvard educated politicians still talk only about increasing the gross domestic product. There has been a lot of scientific research, increased food production, and creation of jobs due to industrialization. Even with all this progress there are more people in the world going hungry and thirsty now than at any time in the history of man. The industries have created pollution, which is now causing so many diseases. They talk about Mahātmā Gāndhi on every October 2nd but fail to put anything in practice.
In 1917, the Bolshevik revolution replaced the rule of Czars (kings) by communists in Russia. Gāndhi liked the idea of the state owning all properties and industries for the good of the people but abhorred the violent methods employed by the revolutionaries. The communist dictators who replaced the king were no better ‘servants of the society’.
The engine of ‘capitalism’ is driven by greed ⎼ more profits, bigger salaries for the executives, without concern for long-term consequences to the environment or quality of life for ordinary people. Gāndhi did not think that this model was sustainable or good for the common people. The British system of governing India and other colonies was based on brute force of guns and soldiers, laws that exploited the meek and the poor, exorbitant profits to satisfy the greed of a few, and centralized power within a small circle of powerful few. Even today, in most of the democratic countries power is concentrated within a small number of people. The media ⎼ newspapers, TV, etc., ⎼ are also owned and controlled by select few. The rich and the influential force the elected officials to make decisions that favor them. Those in power (democratic, autocratic, or theocratic) become the masters and take advantage of their position.
“The rulers should depend on the will of those who are under their heels, thus they have to be servants of the people ready to do their will.”
M. K. Gāndhi
In Gāndhi’s vision, the power would be decentralized and decisions would be made that benefit the poor and the weak. He was of the opinion that to exploit the poor is also violence of a kind. He wanted the governments to be non-violent and not harm anyone.
“Non-violence is not merely a personal virtue. It is also a social virtue…”
M. K. Gāndhi
Gāndhi was in favor of democracy and freedom of the individual.
“…if individual liberty goes, then surely all is lost, for, if the individual ceases to count, what is left of society? Individual freedom also can make a man voluntarily surrender himself completely to the service of society. If it is wrested from him, he becomes automation and society is ruined. No society can possibly be built on denial of individual freedom…”
M. K. Gāndhi
Gāndhi’s idea of political freedom and democracy were different from those prevailing at that time. He wanted every citizen to benefit and prosper. It was better than democracy or rule of the majority. He wanted a country where people were respectful of the rights of others and mutually helpful and interdependent. Even the poorest or the weakest did not feel that his/her rights were trampled upon. Everyone had equal rights and access to the rulers. No one was discriminated on the basis of race, religion, caste, or gender. Everyone had access to education and jobs according to their aptitudes and capability.
“My notion of democracy is that under it the weakest should have the same opportunity as the strongest. That can never happen except through non-violence.”
M. K. Gāndhi
Everyone had the opportunity to contribute to the society according to his capacity and ability, felt fulfilled, and live a dignified life. There would be freedom of religion and no one would be forced or bribed to convert to another religion. The politicians make decisions that would benefit the poorest of the poor. The leaders would lead by example and follow the principles of ‘Truth and non-violence’. The government takes in to consideration what will benefit the society more than the will of a well organized and vocal minority which tries to dominate over the majority or a majority that takes away rights of minority.
“Democracy must be in essence... the art and science of mobilizing the entire physical, economic and spiritual resources of all the various sections of people in the service of common good of all.”
M. K. Gāndhi
When all the citizens