Rethinking The State: Mahatma Gandhi’s Political Vision And Its Relevance In Contemporary Indian Political Thought

Abstract

In addition to being a historical figure, Mahatma Gandhi continues to be a symbol of an alternative political imagination in Indian political philosophy. Both the liberal and socialist conceptions of the state diverge from his own. This essay outlines the key elements of his ethically grounded vision of the state, which is based on truth, non-violence, self-rule (swaraj), and moral authority. It emphasizes how his ideas are fundamentally different from both liberal and socialist traditions, offers a radical break from the idea of the modern nation state, which is frequently based on coercive machinery, and is still relevant in Indian politics today.