Question

what is non exploitative economy of Gandhi (long answer)​

Answer 1

Answer:

Economic Idea

1. Economic Laws:

According to Gandhi, economic laws which aim at material progress as well as social harmony and moral advancement, should be formulated according to the laws of nature. There is no conflict between the laws of nature and laws of economics. The laws of nature are universal.

The laws of economics, which deal with practical problems, are not universal. The economic laws of a country are determined by the climatic, geological and temperamental conditions of that country. Hence they vary with the conditions of the nations.

2. Non-Violent Economy:

Gandhi advocated non-violence and hence his economics may be called economics of non­violence. The principle of non-violence is the principle of Gandhian philosophy. As there was no industry and no activity without certain violence, he wanted to minimize it. He believed that violence in any form breeds greater violence.

He defined a non-violent occupation as one “which is fundamentally free from violence and which involves no exploitation or envy of others”.

The solution to Indian basic problems lies in the practice of non-violence. Gandhiji opposed capitalism as it resulted in exploitation of human labour. He believed that nature produced enough for the satisfaction of the people’s wants and there would be no pauperism and starvation if everybody took only that much that was sufficient to him.

3. Decentralisation: Cottage Industries:

Gandhi was not in favour of large scale industrialisation, as it was responsible for many socio­economic evils. He believed that large scale use of machinery led to drudgery and monotony. He was in favour of decentralised economy.

4. Khadi Industry:

Every Indian needed at least 13 yards of cloth per year. Gandhiji believed that multiplication of mills could not solve the problem of cloth supply; therefore he stressed the development of Khadi industry. For Gandhiji, khadi was the “symbol of unity of Indian humanity of its economic freedom and equality”. Khadi means the decentralisation of production and distribution of the necessaries of human life. Khadi movement began only after Gandhiji’s return from South Africa.