Gandhi's Dilemma - by Na Na (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Throughout his long career as a political thinker and activist, Mahatma Gandhi encountered the dilemma of either remaining faithful to his nonviolent principles and risking the failure of the Indian nationalist movement, or focusing on the seizure of political power at the expense of his moral message. Putting forward his vision of a "nonviolent nationalism," Gandhi argued that Indian self-rule could be achieved without sacrificing the universalist imperatives of his nonviolent philosophy. Conceived as a study in the history of political thought, this book examines the origins, meaning, and unfolding of Gandhi s dilemma as it played itself out in both theory and political practice. This discussion is inextricably linked to significant and timely issues that are critical for the study of nationalism, for Gandhi s vision raises the important question of whether it is indeed possible to construct a benign type of nationalism that is rooted in neither physical nor conceptual forms of violence.

Review Quotes

..".a provocative and lively work on Gandhi's theories...a valuable contribution to the growing literature on Gandhi." --"Choice"
..".It is a useful and balanced assessment of a vast volume of scholarly writing that touches the subject but more importantly, it includes an incisive examination of the origin and evolution of Gandhi's ideas on nonviolence....an excellent introduction to Gandhi's philosophy of nonviolence..." --"Journal of Colonialism and Colonial History"
"This is an exceptionally challenging critique of Gandhi's thought and leadership, distinguished by a cogent argument that is expressed in a lucid and concise style." --"American Political Science Review"


."..a provocative and lively work on Gandhi's theories...a valuable contribution to the growing literature on Gandhi." --"Choice"

."..It is a useful and balanced assessment of a vast volume of scholarly writing that touches the subject but more importantly, it includes an incisive examination of the origin and evolution of Gandhi's ideas on nonviolence....an excellent introduction to Gandhi's philosophy of nonviolence..." --"Journal of Colonialism and Colonial History"

"This is an exceptionally challenging critique of Gandhi's thought and leadership, distinguished by a cogent argument that is expressed in a lucid and concise style." --"American Political Science Review"


“...a provocative and lively work on Gandhi's theories...a valuable contribution to the growing literature on Gandhi.” —"Choice"
“...It is a useful and balanced assessment of a vast volume of scholarly writing that touches the subject but more importantly, it includes an incisive examination of the origin and evolution of Gandhi's ideas on nonviolence....an excellent introduction to Gandhi's philosophy of nonviolence...” —"Journal of Colonialism and Colonial History"
“This is an exceptionally challenging critique of Gandhi's thought and leadership, distinguished by a cogent argument that is expressed in a lucid and concise style.” —"American Political Science Review"


.,."a provocative and lively work on Gandhi's theories...a valuable contribution to the growing literature on Gandhi." --"Choice"
.,."It is a useful and balanced assessment of a vast volume of scholarly writing that touches the subject but more importantly, it includes an incisive examination of the origin and evolution of Gandhi's ideas on nonviolence....an excellent introduction to Gandhi's philosophy of nonviolence..." --"Journal of Colonialism and Colonial History"
"This is an exceptionally challenging critique of Gandhi's thought and leadership, distinguished by a cogent argument that is expressed in a lucid and concise style." --"American Political Science Review"


0;...a provocative and lively work on Gandhi's theories...a valuable contribution to the growing literature on Gandhi.1; 2;"Choice"
0;...It is a useful and balanced assessment of a vast volume of scholarly writing that touches the subject but more importantly, it includes an incisive examination of the origin and evolution of Gandhi's ideas on nonviolence....an excellent introduction to Gandhi's philosophy of nonviolence...1; 2;"Journal of Colonialism and Colonial History"
0;This is an exceptionally challenging critique of Gandhi's thought and leadership, distinguished by a cogent argument that is expressed in a lucid and concise style.1; 2;"American Political Science Review"


" ...a provocative and lively work on Gandhi's theories...a valuable contribution to the growing literature on Gandhi." -- "Choice"
" ...It is a useful and balanced assessment of a vast volume of scholarly writing that touches the subject but more importantly, it includes an incisive examination of the origin and evolution of Gandhi's ideas on nonviolence....an excellent introduction to Gandhi's philosophy of nonviolence..." -- "Journal of Colonialism and Colonial History"
" This is an exceptionally challenging critique of Gandhi's thought and leadership, distinguished by a cogent argument that is expressed in a lucid and concise style." -- "American Political Science Review"


..."a provocative and lively work on Gandhi's theories...a valuable contribution to the growing literature on Gandhi." --"Choice"
..."It is a useful and balanced assessment of a vast volume of scholarly writing that touches the subject but more importantly, it includes an incisive examination of the origin and evolution of Gandhi's ideas on nonviolence....an excellent introduction to Gandhi's philosophy of nonviolence..." --"Journal of Colonialism and Colonial History"
"This is an exceptionally challenging critique of Gandhi's thought and leadership, distinguished by a cogent argument that is expressed in a lucid and concise style." --"American Political Science Review"

About the Author

Manfred B. Steger is Associate Professor of Political Science at Illinois State University.