Gandhism
Nonviolent political philosophy
Gandhism is the philosophy and methods associated with Mahatma Gandhi, centered on nonviolent resistance (satyagraha), civil disobedience, and the pursuit of social justice through peaceful means.
The term encompasses his broader principles—self-sufficiency, simple living, and religious tolerance.
Gandhism influenced civil rights movements worldwide, from Martin Luther King Jr. to Nelson Mandela.
Principled rejection of force
- Martin Luther KingCivil rights movement leader
- MandelaSouth African liberation figure
- Thoreau19th-century American naturalist-essayist
- influencePower to affect others
movement · inspiration · commemoration · philosophy · teachings · writings · autobiography · ashram
Governance without outside control
- trusteeshipFiduciary guardianship position
- simple livingIntentional reduction of consumption
- self-sufficiencyIndependence from outside aid
- decentralizationDistributing power from center
spinning wheel · khadi · homespun · cottage industry · ashram · satya
Peaceful refusal to obey
- passive resistanceOpposing through peaceful noncompliance
- noncooperationRefusing to work together
- moral victoryDefeat with honor intact
- fastingDeliberate food avoidance
hunger strike · boycott · picketing · struggle · endurance · sacrifice · firmness · persistence
Public expression of disapproval
- demonstrationPublic display of opinion
- marchRhythmic group walk
- rallyGathering for a cause
- sit-inProtest by remaining seated
boycott · peaceful protest · conscientious objector · solidarity · resistance · mobilization · grassroots · mass movement
nonviolence
Principled rejection of force
- Martin Luther KingCivil rights movement leader
- MandelaSouth African liberation figure
- Thoreau19th-century American naturalist-essayist
influence · movement · inspiration · commemoration · philosophy · teachings · writings · autobiography · ashram · spinning wheel
self-rule
Governance without outside control
- trusteeshipFiduciary guardianship position
- simple livingIntentional reduction of consumption
- self-sufficiencyIndependence from outside aid
decentralization · spinning wheel · khadi · homespun · cottage industry · ashram · satya
civil disobedience
Peaceful refusal to obey
- passive resistanceOpposing through peaceful noncompliance
- noncooperationRefusing to work together
- moral victoryDefeat with honor intact
fasting · hunger strike · boycott · picketing · struggle · endurance · sacrifice · firmness · persistence · moral resistance
protest
Public expression of disapproval
- demonstrationPublic display of opinion
- marchRhythmic group walk
- rallyGathering for a cause
sit-in · boycott · peaceful protest · conscientious objector · solidarity · resistance · mobilization · grassroots · mass movement · civil rights
Gandhismterrorism
Intimidation through targeted violence
militarism · guerrilla warfare · Maoism · Leninism · armed struggle
Gandhismindustrialism
Factory-based economic system
consumerism · materialism · hyperconsumerism · techno-utopianism · capitalism
GandhismMachiavellianism
Cunning, amoral statecraft
realpolitik · fascism · Nazism · totalitarianism · Stalinism
- Mahatma Gandhi
- Indira GandhiIndia's first female premier
- Gandhian philosophyNonviolent resistance doctrine