Gandhi here appears a practical man. Insisting on sovereignty is of not that importance and nation-states do depend on each other: the West on the Rest for natural and human resources and the Rest on the West for products, services, goods, capital and ideas.

Gandhi: “Every formula of every religion has in this age of reason, to submit to the acid test of reason and universal assent.”

Gandhi is completely correct. The time warrants that religions become adaptive to the changing circumstances and changing consciousness. All religions should be open to re-interpretation in modern context so as to do away with prejudices and biases against each other and also to put on hold the doomsday theories.

Gandhi: “The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world’s problems.”

This is much influenced by Hinduism. According to Yoga doctrine humans are unable to fully utilize their brain under normal circumstances; in fact they use only small fraction of their brain. As far as statistics is concerned humans do utilize their fullest brain and it’s the innovation and creativity in the form of machine development, theories and product and capital creation which can solve the humans’ problems.

Gandhi: “I would heartily welcome the Union of East and West provided it is not based on brute force.”

In reality there is no union between the West and the East except through international treaties. The relationship is based on blatant selfishness as the West looks for markets for its products and ideologies whereas the East looks at the West for products and ideas. The relationship can be symbiotic, most of the time. The biggest relationship between the West and the East is the WTO treaty which allows individuals and states to grow and prosper with the permanent dominance of the first producers.

Gandhi: “A man is but the product of his thoughts what he thinks, he becomes.”

This is more or less true. But only individual circumstances are not sufficient to dictate the evolutions of men. The geo-political conditions, the economy of the nation-states and regions, the immigration laws, international treaties all determine the evolutions of men.

Gandhi: “What do I think about the Western civilization? I think it would be a very good idea.”

The whole Indian freedom struggle was the byproduct of the British investment in India. British institutionalize and homogenize India to the extent possible. They created required infrastructure and many institutions so that Indians had national identity. They imparted national consciousness to India. Moreover, many people in the West supported Indian national freedom struggle. Gandhi, Nehru and other leaders of freedom struggle used to use English frequently. The West was very advanced and the most equal civilization in the world. Therefore, it was natural for Gandhi to appreciate the Western civilization.

Gandhi: “Constant development is the law of life, and a man who always tries to maintain his dogmas in order to be consistent drives himself into a false position.”

This is a very good quote from Gandhi. This is obvious that with time everything changes except possibly fundamental preaching of religions. Therefore, men should adapt with time and constant development is necessary. But one thing should be remembered that not all religions are open to change, like, Islam where Koran is the Final Testament. Therefore, one should be careful in generalizing arguments.

Gandhi: “I claim that human mind or human society is not divided into watertight compartment called social, political and religious. All act and react upon one another.”

Again this is correct and scientifically sound statement. Obviously, human mind and society is not divided into discrete divisions and all aspects of life interact with each other.

Gandhi: “Those who say religion has nothing to do with politics do not know what religion is.”

Here Gandhi again speaks the truth. The job of the religion is to expand and continue without much change. Therefore, historically since the modern religions have been invented, the religions have been modifying politics. So many wars have been fought because of the religions. So many nation-states bases have been the religions. Americans elites have mostly been theists and their motto is ‘In God we trust’.

Gandhi: “It is unwise to be sure of one’s own wisdom. It is healthy to be reminded that the strongest might weaken and wisest might err.”

This is true that strongest might weaken and wisest might err. The biggest geniuses have made mistakes, biggest businessmen have predicted businesses incorrectly, the most able leaders have taken wrong decisions. But then there is a question of statistics: most of the time, the strongest do not fall and wisest do not err. This statement of Gandhi is much influenced by nihilism of Hinduism.

Gandhi: “We must meet abuse by forbearance. Human nature is so constituted that if we take absolutely no notice of anger or abuse the person indulging in it will soon weary of it and stop.”

Gandhi does not appear to believe in the Department of Justice or in the power of the mighty. It is true that for most of the time good have outnumbered bad and this holds true for even animals. But still the evil needs to be punished. All should believe in the orderliness of nation-states and the globe and that does not come by forbearance.