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Indian socialism is a blend of Marxism and Gandhism, leaning heavily towards Gandhian socialism

" Indian socialism is a blend of
Marxism and Gandhism, leaning
heavily towards Gandhian
socialism."
How to justify it?
Please give some examples.

Comments

  • edited August 2014
    " Indian socialism is a blend of
    Marxism and Gandhism, leaning
    heavily towards Gandhian
    socialism."
    How to justify it?
    Please give some examples.
    Apko dekh kar yaad a gaya ye dialogue "Kuch hosh nahi rehta, kuch dhayan nahi rehta ... insaan mohabbat mein insaan nahi rehta"

    Indian socialism took some-things from both sides which were suited for the country. while it took few things from marxism while took many philosophies of gandhiji.

  • kuch difference hai marxism and gandhism mai :
    marx => atheist, against all religion, classless society,all are equal human being (no racism/casteism) , centralised state of economy while preventing economic concentration, no individual property , cooperative farming

    Gandhi=> Secularism, nothing said about classless society but said about reservation of depressed classes and women, decentralised economy focussing on cottage industries (which means family based )plus focus on traditional methods.
    Hence we can say Indian socialism rejected many of marxist ideas while took few only.
  • edited August 2014


    Indian socialism took some-things from both sides which were suited for the country. while it took few things from marxism while took many philosophies of gandhiji.

    Ha ha ha...

    By the way you will get 00/10 for your answer in UPSC (NOI). I used to do the same in my college. :D

    Your second post provide some insight.
    Thanks.
  • edited August 2014
    yeh question mains ka lagta hai. i am currently preparing for pre. lekin apka ye question interesting laga isliye comment kiya
  • yeh question mains ka lagta hai. i am currently preparing for pre. lekin apka ye question interesting laga isliye comment kiya
    This is from Nakara case (1983),
    Mentioned in Laxmikanth, "Preamble" chapter.
  • " Indian socialism is a blend of
    Marxism and Gandhism, leaning
    heavily towards Gandhian
    socialism."
    How to justify it?
    Please give some examples.
    Marxism: End goal - socialism (classless society) = absolute equality of outcome (from each according to his ability, to each according to his need)
    - we have PDS, food security bill, subsidies, right to equality etc. - no absolute equality of outcome but a basic level of equal rights and entitlements

    Gandhi: secular, against extreme inequalities (like untouchability) but not absolute equality (caste system was not completely useless, was not against private property etc.) - we have Art 44 (uniform civil code), a Gandhian mode of secularism, abolished untouchability but not caste system as such, private property can't be snatched away arbitrarily and so on ..

    So, Marx was an extremist. Gandhi was a moderate socialist. Our systems are more in line with Gandhi's middle path.
  • It is a statement of supreme court. It tries to define socialism in indian perspective, as indian constitution does not define socialism.
    Indian government ownership of PSUs and PSBs are example of marxism in indian socialism.
    While indian government's promotion of MSMEs, attempt of land reform without force is example of gandhian socialism
    Although in my opinion now this definition has become vestigial because india is progressivly moving towards capitalism.
  • edited August 2014
    Marxism and gandhian socialism can be compared and differentiated on two levels: means and ends. Marxism tries to establish a classless society with perfect socio-economic equality. At this stage, the need for state ceases to exist (this stage is called communism). This end is achieved by establishing a "dictatorship of the proletariat" (aka scientific/revolutionary socialism) as an intermediate step where the power is captured by the subaltern classes (more appropriately, industrial workers) through violent overthrow of bourgeoise, the means of production are nationalised and are brought under state control. The practical manifestation of which are collective farms (kolkhoz), PSUs, nationalised banks, etc. As the state owns the means of production so the state allocates resources amongst various sectors and plans what and how much has to be produced (through 5 year plans). It also fixes the prices of essential commodities to ensure no exploitation takes place and they are affordable and accessible to all (through MSP and FPS).

    In case of Gandhianism, socialism is a means to establish socially just and egalitarian society. It considers village panchayats as the building block of power and believes in decentralisation. According to him, the western notion of modernism is evil, which are not only polluting but also dehumanises labour. Machines are used for mass production replacing human labour. He instead suggests to establish and focus on cottage industries and individual labour, symbolised by Charkha and Khadi. Gandhianism is not against private ownership, but tries to humanise capitalism by giving the theory of trusteeship (i.e. rich people should consider themselves as trustees who take care of the less advantaged ones through charity) and sarvodaya (i.e. universal upliftment of all) for a just and humane society.

    From these stands you can pick the relevant ideas that we have chosen. India follows a mixed economy model economically, a multi-party decocracy politically and we don't try to attain socio-economic equality at the cost of civil and political rights and try to maintain a balance between the two. Hence our model of socialism has a heavy gandhian bais.

    PS: I disagree with @Shibbu. Socialism isn't less relevant than it was 68 years ago. We shall always try to establish socio-economic equality, irrespective of who owns the means of production, state or capitalists. It is part of basic structure after all.
  • edited August 2014


    PS: I disagree with @Shibbu. Socialism isn't less relevant than it was 68 years ago. We shall always try to establish socio-economic equality, irrespective of who owns the means of production, state or capitalists. It is part of basic structure after all.
    Agreed @CrazyDiamond
    End objective is the same- "Socialism"
    Only means have changed after liberalisation.

    We are striving to achieve inclusive growth. And we have included private sector too in achieving this objective. Thought this is another debate how successful it is.

    Thanks @CrazyDiamond
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