Gandhi's vision of development: Relevance for 21st century
- 2014
- p.126-136.
- Jan-Mar
Development through the use of state apparatus is integral to the notion of freedom, and poverty becomes a problem of politics and power. This process confers rationality and acceptability of practices and techniques of the government (and its agents) among the individuals in society. Mahatma Gandhi was deeply suspicious of the power of state to influence growth, and hence relied on the self-control of an individual as the force that could transform the society. He believed that there was no need to have a society based on the Western notions of greed and wealth but on moral individuals who cared for each other and followed their spiritual goals. This translated, in his vision, to a more equal society based on different religious groups showing tolerance towards each other, and engaged in small-scale economic activities. - Reproduced.