Economic Thought of Mahatma Gandhi: Present-day Relevance

Abstract

Mahatma Gandhi was not only a politician but also an embodiment of peace and non-violence. He offered a tool of agitation through non-violence. He believed that the main reason for extreme poverty was the lack of sustainable employment, and he prescribed cottage and village industries as the saviour. The villages have their resources, and nature has created such resources for them. He found that village and cottage industries communities can create mass employment, and ‘Khadi’ can supplement such production. He wanted the distribution of income in equal proportion amongst the people of the country. A high level of GDP and per capita income did not satisfy him. Gandhiji’s economic thoughts cover almost all areas of the material and ethical development of the people. Besides the areas discussed above, he also expressed his views on many other areas like population control, environmental protection, management, accountancy.