Gandhian Economic Thought-An Analytical View (An Old and Rare)

The present book "Gandhian Economic Thought-An Analytical View for which I was awarded the Ph.D. degree of the Mysore University presents Gandhiji's ideas mainly based on quotations supported also by quotations from several secondary works commenting upon Gandhi. An attempt has been made to present the basic philosophical aspects, the political, the sociological and the economic aspects of Gandhian thought separately without losing sight of the Gandhian emphasis on the interrelationship between all these various aspects of human behaviour and problems. A dificulty generally confronting a study of Gandhian ideas is the existence of statements which ostensibly conflict with one another. Fortunately for us. Gandhiji himself has showns us the way to get clear from possible confusion arising from. con flicting pronouncements In his search for Truth as he himself writes, Gandhiji discards some ideas in favour of newer thoughts and thus an apparent inconsistency arises In such cases this is what he says" when anybody finds any inconsistency between any two writings of mine, if he has still faith in my sanity, he would do well to choose the later of the two on the same subject." In conformity with this, wo have tried to take Gandhiji's latest pronouncements on any subject/problem/theme as his view. I am deeply indebted to Prof. A. P. Srinivasamurthy, University of Mysore. under whose inspiring guidance I had the privilege of preparing my Ph.D. thesis of which the present book is a part. I had the opportunity of discussing about Gandhian thought with several scholars in the field and I wish to mention in particular, Sri B. R. Pranesha Rao, M-A. Sarada Vilas College, Mysore, and Smt. Rameshwari Varma, M-A-, of the Institute of Development Studies, Mysore, to whom I am indebted for their helpful suggestions. I am thankful to Dr. M. Madaiah, M.A., Ph.D. (S. Illinois), Professor and Head of the Department of Post-graduate Studies and Research in Economics and other members of the Economics Faculty in that Department for their encouragement. I am thankful to the authorities of the Mysore University Library, the Gandhi Bhavan of University of Mysore and Gandhi Peace Foundation, Gandhi Bhavan, Bangalore, for the library facilities provided to me. I am also thankful to the authorities of the Academy of Gandhian Studies, Hyderabad and the Gandhi Smarak Nidhi. New Delhi, for their help. I am greateful to Sr. Annette, Principal, Teresian College, Mysore. For encouraging me to complete this book.