What Is Mohandas Mahatma Gandhi's Relevance on Economy, Ideology and Religion in Modern Day India - Dissertation Example

Download file to see previous pages... For instance, he took part in political protests in South Africa against the ill-treatment of Indians in that region by the prevailing government. Gandhi believed that the weak should not be oppressed by those in power and was against any political system that was oppressive1 Although Gandhi was actively persuading Indians to resist British ideologies, he was against any form of violence. He encouraged Indians to protest peacefully against British political and economic systems as well as the British approach to religion and morality. Gandhi’s ideologies led to his imprisonment on several occasions. However, many leaders made reference to his ideologies that promoted cohesion, peace and love among individuals and religions. He was assassinated for his belief by a fellow Hindu who was against his beliefs about the Muslims.2 Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi made a significant contribution to India’s economy through his ideologies and campaign for an independent economy. Many Indians supported his religious, political and economic beliefs. Gandhi was against discrimination and violation of human rights. He campaigned for unity and resistance against westernisation. His efforts yield fruits and India’s economy achieved significant levels of growth and independence.
This paper examines Gandhi’s ideologies, religious beliefs and economic contribution to determine his relevance to modern India. The Relevance of Gandhi’s Economic Ideas, Ideologies and Religious Beliefs to Modern India Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi played an important role in freeing India from British colonialism. Gandhi had a political vision of a free country that had control over all its sectors including social, economic, and political sectors in India. Gandhi’s vision had a moral and economic perspective of what India would be as a free country.4 Gandhi’s personal philosophies and beliefs were adopted in many political systems across the world. For instance, human rights activists in the United States based their movements on Gandhi’s philosophies. The relevance of Gandhi’s philosophies and beliefs to modern societies has been ignored until recently. Political analysts and historians are examining the state of nations to determine if Gandhi’s ideologies are still applicable to modern societies. Gandhi was determined to lay down a foundation that would unite Indians towards achieving their economic freedom. His ideology was to prepare Indians for a self-sustaining economy.5 Gandhi was against adopting a Western economic model and according to him; such a model would not help Indian establish an egalitarian and independent economy. Gandhi argued that with the high population growth rate and poverty levels in India, a consumer economy as suggested by western countries was inappropriate. His idea of an independent economy in India was based on conservation and systematic exploitation of natural resources. Consumerism would harm India’s given its demographics and Gandhi advocated for limited consumption of the scarce resources in the country. One of Gandhi’s concerns about India’s economy was the state of the agricultural sector. He believed that agriculture would help India achieve significant economic growth. However, his idea of a sustainable agricultural sector involved exploiting the readily available human resources as opposed to importing technology from the west.6 Gandhi’s speeches on India’s economic welfare indicated his passion for the nationals to recognise and exploit India’ ...Download file to see next pagesRead More