Gandhian Political Ethics and the Crisis of Values in Contemporary Politics in India

Author

Dr. NALIVELUGU SUNILKUMAR


Abstract

 Politics is fundamentally concerned with the exercise of power, the organisation of collective life and the pursuit of public goals. Yet political institutions cannot function effectively without ethical principles that regulate the use of power and public authority. Mahatma Gandhi developed a distinctive conception of political ethics in which politics was inseparable from morality, truth, non-violence, self-discipline, public service and responsibility. His political philosophy challenged the conventional separation between moral life and political action and insisted that ethical means were essential to legitimate political ends. In contemporary India, debates concerning political values increasingly involve questions of accountability, corruption, public trust, political polarisation, misuse of power, materialism and the weakening of public responsibility. This theoretical paper examines Gandhian political ethics as a framework for understanding these challenges. It discusses the principles of truth, non-violence, purity of means and ends, Swaraj, trusteeship, simplicity and ethical leadership. The paper argues that Gandhian thought does not provide a mechanical political programme for contemporary India; rather, it offers an ethical framework through which democratic politics can be critically examined. Its continuing relevance lies in the emphasis on responsible power, moral self-restraint, dialogue, public service and the dignity of every individual.



Keywords

Mahatma Gandhi, political ethics, truth, non-violence, Swaraj, democracy, political values, public responsibility, India.



Full Text:

Download Paper PDF


References


1.Gandhi, M. K. (1909). Hind Swaraj or Indian Home Rule. Navajivan Publishing House.

2.Gandhi, M. K. (1927). The Story of My Experiments with Truth. Navajivan Publishing House.

3.Gandhi, M. K. (1945). Constructive Programme: Its Meaning and Place. Navajivan Publishing     House.

4.Gandhi, M. K. (1958–1994). The Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi. Publications Division, Government of India.

5.Gandhi Heritage Portal. (n.d.). The Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi. Sabarmati Ashram Preservation and Memorial Trust.

6.Gandhi Heritage Portal. (n.d.). Journals by Gandhiji. Sabarmati Ashram Preservation and Memorial Trust.

7.Khare, R. S. (2021). M. K. Gandhi, our moral action compass: His selected guiding communications for the changing India. Journal of Human Values, 27(1), 7–25.

8.Kumar, C. B. (2024). Gandhi and election: An exploration. Indian Historical Review, 51(1), 85–100.

9.Livingston, A. (2018). Fidelity to truth: Gandhi and the genealogy of civil disobedience. Political Theory, 46(4), 511–536.

10.Pontara, G. (1965). The rejection of violence in Gandhian ethics of conflict resolution. Journal of Peace Research, 2(3).

 

Share your valuable work from Social Media Buttons