Gandhian Philosophy and its Relevance

Paper Code: 
POL 324-B
Credits: 
04
Contact Hours: 
60.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

The focus of this paper is to acquaint the students with the social, political and economic thoughts of the Father of Nation in detail along with their significance and relevance in the present context.

12.00
Unit I: 
UNIT 1

Gandhi – Life Sketch, Influence on Gandhi, Emergence of Goals and Methods of action (Ends and means), Concept and claim of Spiritualizing politics

12.00
Unit II: 
UNIT 2

Philosophy- Observance for spiritual life, Their social significance today, Truth as God, Meaning and power of Non Violence, Types of Non Violence, Equality of religion and equal respect for all religions

12.00
Unit III: 
UNIT 3

Philosophy of Satyagraha, Concept, Theory, Variants and techniques of Satyagraha, Satyagraha as a weapon of social change, Satyagraha and constructive work and service

12.00
Unit IV: 
UNIT 4

Gandhi’s concept of Swaraj, Decentralised Administration, Gram Swaraj, Ram Rajya and its contemporary relevance

12.00
Unit V: 
UNIT 5

Gandhi’s economic Philosophy, Critique of Industralisation- Evils and Consequences, Need Vs Greed, Distribution- Ownership- Trusteeship, Swadeshi- Khadi, Village Industries and Bread Labour

Essential Readings: 
  • Chandran, Devansen D.S.,  Making of the Mahatma (New Delhi: Orient Longman), 1969
  • Gandhi, M.K. : An Autobiography or The Story of My Experiments with Truth (Ahmedabad: Navajivan Publishing House), 2001
  • Gandhi, M.K. : Satyagraha in South Africa (Ahmedabad:Navajivan Publishing House), 1992.
  • Gandhi, M.K. : Hind Swaraj (Ahmedabad: Navajivan Publishing House), 1999
  • Malhotra ,S.L. : Lawyer to Mahatma: Life, work and Transformation of M.K. Gandhi (New Delhi: Deep & Deep Publication), 2001.
  • Gandhi, M.K. : India of My Dreams (compiled by Prabhu, R.K.), (Ahmedabad: Navajivan Publishing House), 1995 edn
  •  Nanda, B.R. : Making of a Nation: India’s Road to  Independence (New Delhi: Harper Collins),1998
  • Mishra, Anil Dutta and Yadav, Sushma : Socio-Political Thought of Gandhi ( New Delhi : Concept Publishing Company), 2005.
  • Verma, V. P. : Political Philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi and Sarvodaya, Agra, Laxmi Narayan Aggarwal, 1980-81. 4th Revised and enlarged edition
  • Dasgupta, Ajit, K. : Gandhi’s Economic Thought (London: Routledge), 1996
References: 
  • Brown , Judith, M., : Gandhi’s Rise to Power: Indian Politics1915- 1922 (London: Cambridge University Press), 1972
  • Fischer, Louis : Life of Mahatma Gandhi (New York: Harper and Row) 1983
  • Huxley, Aldous : Ends and Means ( New York: Harper), 1937.
  • Sharp, Gene : Politics of Non-Violent Action (Boston: Sergent Publication), 1973.
  • 9. Peter, Wallen Steen,(ed.) : Peace Research: Achievements and Challenges (London: West View), 1988.
  • Brock, Peter : Mahatma Gandhi & Mother India, Essay on Gandhi’s Non-Violence & Nationalism (Ahmedabad: Navajivan Publishing House), 1983.
  • Wolpert , Stanely: Gandhi’s Passion: The Life & Legacy of Mahatma Gandhi (Oxford: University Press), 2001
  • Erikson, Erik H. : Gandhi’s Truth: On the Origins of Militant Non-Violence (London: Faber & Faber), 1970.
Academic Year: 
2016-17
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