Gandhian perspective on conflict resolution
Gandhian framework is primarily egalitarian and not utilitarian. It is for the welfare of all and not merely for ���a few��� or ���maximum number of people���. He favours movement from microscopic realities to macroscopic excellence.
INDIANS ARE having a holistic legacy for posterity anent ‘conflict resolution’. This is a highly mundane philosophical inheritance ensuring permanent peace. Its concepts emerge from its practical dynamics. This Indian position on conflict resolution is deeply engraved in the Gandhian “practical-idealism”.
India is generally known as a spiritual giant too weak on the material front of resolving conflicts through modern prevalent perspective of conflict management, conflict resolution and conflict transformation encompassing such techniques as negotiation, conciliation, mediation, arbitration and nine tracks of diplomacy and others.
Gandhi has distinctively though differently utilised the apparent modern conflict resolution framework for meeting quite a few challenges during his lifetime. Prominent among such trials are Gandhi’s utterances and experiments concerning Satyagraha in South Africa, Cahmparan movement for indigo planters, Pakistani tribal attacks on Kashmir and Quit India Movement etcetera. Gandhi’s distinctiveness lies in his “ends and means” concept. The nature of ends and means must mutually correspond. Modern conflict resolution modus operandi disappoints in not taking such practical Gandhian initiatives.
Impartial and largely unbiased use of media and communication network of Gandhi is also missing in the prevailing forms of conflict resolution.
Gandhian framework is primarily egalitarian and not utilitarian. It is for the welfare of all and not merely for ‘a few’ or ‘maximum number of people’. Gandhi starts with the individual and goes on to realistic application of “panch yama”, inherent nonviolence and self-restraint etcetera. He is in favour of movement from microscopic realities to macroscopic excellence. Individual’s transformation is of highest priority alongwith other necessary ventures for world peace and conflict resolution.
Gandhi’s conflict resolution is holistic in nature while other prevalent methods prefer to resolve a conflict in a piecemeal fashion. Gandhi aims for the highest and the best while he settles for the second best practicable option. Indeed, such a Gandhian approach is clearly missing in the modern conflict resolution techniques. What conflict resolution needs is Mary E. Clark’s Ariadnae’s Thread: Search for New Modes of Thinking today. Otherwise, as Gandhi suggests in his Hind Swaraj or Indian Home Rule, modern civilisation is a “nine days wonder” on the verge of self-destruction!
.The article appears to be focusing more on Sarvodaya than on conflict resolution as such. Looking at the dyanmics of Satyagraha and how they relate to different phases of conflict would have made the article more relevant to the theme. the author would do well to refer to galtung, Weber, Jurgensmeyer and the 1979 work of an author (who referred to Satyagraha as "self-limiting conflict").
.Excellent article. However, there some editorial follies. Author has provided in-text reference. But your editing team has removed the reference details. Either you give details or you remove references entirely. Please edit article once again carefully in this context.
.Mundane term for the 'practical idealism' or whatever fancy term is HYPOCRISY! It is a pity that there still are advocates of this tactic that only perpetuated deep-rooted discriminations and divisions in society. Here is a 'swadeshi' advocate whose well-to-do parents sent him off to UK for studies (after child marriage) who went to practice in another colony! After flopping there, major financing came from textile tycoons in India making superfines, who schemed to retain monopoly. To buy all superfine yarn at throwaway prices from spinning mills of Coimbatore, they IMPOSED coarse khadi on gullible 'natives' with indoctrination/aggression. Goons burnt superfine cloth belonging to hapless merchants. Lawlessness and indiscipline incited in the 'freedom fighting' only delayed by at least 15 years the departure of British. (anyway abandoning all colonies under changing environment.) Rightful representatives of Hindus/Muslims/Dalits were demonized/isolated and partitioned/frustrated into virtual hara kiri of embracing Neo Buddhism. Fake 'freedom fighters' also schemed to impose a romantic socialist to sideline every more competent member of the outfit. His dynasty reserved major industrial projects to shoddy public sector, while letting entrenched tycoons to enjoy a free run by banning real competition from coming up. The permit-licence-quota raj ruined industry and economy. The Machiavellian, impractical idea of reservations, instead of real empowerment, ruined the social fabric by widening the chasm. There seems to be no hope for erstwhile British India (currently different entities) till millions have been brainwashed from primary school onwards to worship such hypocrisy!
Mr Professor & Mr Gangal: The concept of compassion, nonviolence and peace and then prosperity (in that order) was something that was postulated AND ALSO PRACTICED by numerous people since the times of Gautam Buddha, Mahavir etc. Don't you think letting a hypocritic politician (perhaps the most wily of them all) to be 'brand ambassodor' of the concept will only debase and rubbish the concept itself?
What we hate or vehemently criticize shows our inherent bias when it is done without first going into the depths of ocean anent that particular subject.Your comments deserve due regard and importance.
You have really pointed out very well widespread chaos, hypocrisy and disorder the world over. Thanks for your views.
There is, indeed, only one way ahead. It is nonviolence and peace.
.Very original piece. Excellent interpretation of Gandhian view. Only if such ideas politicians also take effective notice of.
.Highly innovative and realistically analytical. Very useful for experts on conflict resolution and peace studies.
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