Gandhian Perspectives on Economics and Ethics

The book explores the ethical foundations of Gandhian economic order and discusses their relevance to the modern times. It also aims at comparing Gandhian economic ideals with those of classical thinkers like Adam Smith, John Ruskin and Karl Marx, and the modern scholars like Kumarappa, Schumacher, Amartya Sen and John Rawls. The Indian and Western influences, along with British imperialism, have shaped Gandhian economic philosophy. The economic ideals and practices of Gandhi are centred round two fundamental principles – truth and non-violence. Gandhian thought, economics and ethics go together. There is no distinction between them. The relation between economics and ethics works both ways. Gandhian economics is service economy. It is based upon selfless service and altruism. It transforms economics from positive science to normative science. Gandhian economics is not pure economics. It is holistic in nature. To Gandhi, economic questions cannot be isolated. They are interrelated with social, political and religious matte Gandhian economics is man centred, not money centred. The notions of swaraj, svadeshi, bread labour, aparigraha, trusteeship, sarvodaya, constructive programme, decentralized economy, critique of industrial civilization and economy of permanence are discussed, under the backdrop of Gandhian economics. Finally, an estimate of Gandhian economic order is presented. Economic transformation is possible when there is a change from economic man to Gandhian man; if not, Gandhi’s dream of economic order will remain as a pipedream.