Economic Philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi

Gandhiji’s highly practical approach to life and its problems, to politics in all its ramifications, to economics, in short, in very field of human activity, takes care of the idealistic craving of the human mind. Here lies the impotance of Gandhiji’s thoughts and approach. In the present study Dr. S.S. Gupta has analysed some of the basic concepts of Gandhi’s economic philsophy in the context of modern economic theory. The author belives that Gandhiji took life as a whole. He was not prepared to divide it into water-tight comprartments. He was convinced that every part of life is interdependent and acts and reacts on each other, the sum total effect of which is on the quality of life. So, Gandhi’s economic philosophy cannot be understood in isolation. Further, the fundamentals of the entire life should be common for all parts of life-economic, social, political, etc. He draws heavily from the ancient philosphy of India and wants to construct a happy society based on juman values such as truth, non-violence, simplicity, etc. The world has seen that capitalism and thereafter socialism have failed to make man happy. Gandhi therefore, sets the goal of Anand (bliss) in place of welfare, where everyone will be happy. Dr. Gupta has made an excellent contribution by the present study. The simplicity of style and language, the deep insight of the author, the expert handing and critical assessment of the subject matter-all these and many other qualities of the present study heighten its value and make it a highly commendable work.