Gandhi’s Hind Swaraj: A Critical Analysis of Swaraj and Self-Rule Concepts
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31305/trjtm2024.v04.n01.004Keywords:
Swaraj, self-rule, Hind Swaraj, moral autonomy, political philosophy, nonviolenceAbstract
In the context of larger philosophical, ethical, and political discourses on self-rule, this essay critically analyses the idea of Swaraj as it is presented by Mahatma Gandhi in his landmark work Hind Swaraj. I contend that Gandhi’s conception of Swaraj offers a thorough moral and civilizational critique of modernity, going beyond the limited political meaning of freedom from colonial rule. This paper investigates how Gandhi views Swaraj as self-mastery, ethical autonomy, and collective moral responsibility based on truth (satya) and nonviolence (ahimsa) through a thorough textual and philosophical examination. I further argue that Gandhi’s critique of industrial modern civilization, materialism, and centralized state power is inextricably linked to his idea of self-rule. Gandhi redefines freedom as the development of disciplined individuals capable of upholding just and independent societies, rather than just institutional sovereignty, by emphasizing the ethical aspect of politics. This essay also considers the applicability of Swaraj now in light of globalization, consumerism, and democratic crises, arguing that Gandhi’s theory provides a different framework based on decentralization, moral restraint, and civic engagement. In the end, I contend that Hind Swaraj offers a normative vision of freedom that combines societal reconstruction with personal transformation, greatly advancing discussions in political theory, postcolonial philosophy, and ethical philosophy.
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