Gandhi stressed that economics and politics should also be founded upon ethics. He himself experimented with success in these spheres a number of times. Non-violence is the practical law not only in individual life but also in the social, political and economic lives.
In Young India, Mahatma Gandhi writes, “The act that there are so many men still alive hi the world shows that it is based not on force of arms but on the force of truth and love.”
1. Non-Violence in the Economic Field:
In the economic field, Gandhi emphasized upon cottage industries and non-cooperation with exploiting institutions a life devoid of physical labour was, to him, a sin.
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Exploitation cannot exist in a society hi which non-violence does exist. Gandhi stressed voluntary sacrifice and control. Gandhi, like Marx, believed in labour being the real capital and supported equitable distribution but he opposed class struggle.
Hatred generates hatred and violence does the same. The rich are the trustees of public wealth and they should spend it accordingly. Gandhi “suggested the adoption of non-violent, non-cooperation in order to end capitalism.
2. Non-Violence in the Political Field:
With regard to the political field, Gandhi declared that it was sin and violence to reduce others to ignominious slavery. Among the means of achieving freedom from foreign oppression, Gandhi made it incumbent upon people to pursue non-violent non-cooperation and respectful disobedience.
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Gandhi avidly opposed making the state all-powerful. He was a bitter critic of dictatorship. He supports democracy. In a non-violent democracy, every one shall be equally free. Gandhi’s ideal is a cooperative non-violent society in which state will not be needed.
3. Non-Violence in the Social Field:
Gandhi stressed non-violence hi the social sphere too. Gandhi’s campaigns for improving the conditions of the untouchables and the widows were based upon his sermon of equality.
Here too, the idea at the base is non-violence. Exploitation, be it social, political or economic, is violence. For the elimination of all these Gandhi suggested the method of non-violent non-cooperation.