Mohandas Gandhi: Experiments in Civil Disobedience

Mohandas Gandhi, the icon of Indian liberation, is an inspiration for anti-capitalists and peace activists globally. His campaigns for national liberation based on non-violence and mass civil disobedience were critical to defeating the British Empire. This biography examines his campaigns from South Africa to India to evaluate the successes and failures of non-violent resistance. His legacy remains contested, but his experiments in civil disobedience are still relevant for struggles today.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 20 January 2019
Publisher: Pluto Press

Mohandas Gandhi, the iconic figure of Indian liberation, continues to inspire anti-capitalists and peace activists worldwide. His unwavering campaigns for national liberation, rooted in non-violence and mass civil disobedience, played a pivotal role in dismantling the mighty British Empire. This comprehensive biography delves into his various campaigns, spanning from South Africa to India, to assess the triumphs and challenges of non-violent resistance. Seventy years after his passing, the legacy of Gandhi remains a subject of debate. Was he a saintly figure, a revolutionary, a class conciliator, or a self-absorbed spiritual zealot? This biography unravels the complexities of his politics by examining the social forces that shaped the mass movement around him.

Gandhi's primary support base consisted of industrialists, landlords, and the wealthy peasantry, entrusted with the mission of liberating the oppressed people of India. However, his moral imperatives often clashed with these vested material interests, as well as with more radical currents on his left. This book explores Gandhi's experiments in civil disobedience to assess their relevance for contemporary struggles against state and corporate power.

In today's world, plagued by perpetual wars, racism, violence, environmental degradation, and economic crises, the question arises: Can non-violent resistance triumph over the forces of state and corporate power? This book seeks to answer that question by examining Gandhi's civil disobedience experiments and their potential for inspiring movements for social change in the present day.

Gandhi's life and teachings offer valuable insights into the power of non-violence and the importance of standing up against injustice. His philosophy of ahimsa, or non-violence towards all living beings, remains a guiding principle for many activists and peace advocates around the globe. By studying his campaigns and experiences, we can learn from his successes and failures and apply them to our own struggles for a more just and peaceful world.

In conclusion, Mohandas Gandhi remains an enduring symbol of Indian liberation and a beacon of hope for anti-capitalists and peace activists worldwide. His campaigns for national liberation, based on non-violence and mass civil disobedience, have left an indelible mark on history. Through an analysis of his life and politics, this biography seeks to shed light on the complexities of his legacy and its relevance for contemporary struggles. By embracing the principles of non-violence and civil disobedience, we can continue to build upon Gandhi's work and strive towards a world that is free from oppression, violence, and inequality.

Weight: 230g
Dimension: 198 x 134 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780745334288