Mahatma Gandhi regarded economics as a moral science and laid tremendous emphasis on the ethical aspect of the problem. Economics that hurts the moral well-being of an individual or a nation and does not cater to the needs of the poor and down trodden is immoral and, therefore, sinful. Its goal is not pure material benefits but advancement of humanity on its road to progress. No one’s gain should be anybody’s loss, financial, physical, moral or spiritual. The Mahatma denounced the concept of ‘Economic Man’ because the mind of this industrialized robot suffers an almost complete black out when it comes to freedom and responsibilities of a human person.
That is why Gandhi formulated his economic principles in the context of his design of an ideal social order : a non-violent non-exploitative, humanistic and egalitarian society. Satisfaction of needs and moral elevation of individual were not anti-thetical for him.
At a time when humanity is groaning under crushing burden of a number of miseries and struggling with the night-mare of a terrifying future, the alternative course indicated by the unerring fingers should come as a solace to all those who seek happiness, real prosperity, peace and goodwill for all.
This outstanding book is bound to blaze a new trail of alternative economics. It promises to bring to its readers not only a new understanding of Gandhi but of the globalised world we live in today.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Jai Narain Sharma
Dr. Jai Narain Sharma (b. 1951) is on the faculty of the Department of Gandhian Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh. He obtained his Master's Degrees in Economics and Political Science from Panjab University, M.Phil. from H.P. University, Shimla and Ph.D. from Panjab University. Dr. Sharma's area of specialization include Gandhian Economics, Human Right, Research Methodology, Political Power, Human Resource Management and Ecology. Dr. Sharma has distinguished himself as a Gandhian scholar and management expert. He has been connected with a number of national and international organizations in various capacities. He is a member of Board of Studies, Nagpur University, Nagpur and Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith, Varanasi and a member of Research Degree Committee of the Department of Political Science. H.P. University, Shimla. He is also the General Secretary of Idian Society of Gandhian Studies and the member on the Presidium of the Allaince for Sarvodaya. He regularly writes for leading newspapers, and published more than hundred research papers in professional journals. His earlier books "Gandhi's View of Political Power", "Economics of Defence: A Study of SAARC Countries", "Economic Thought of Mahatma Gandhi" and Human Resource Management are well received and widely acclaimed as scholarly works of lasting values. He has also been invited by the University Grant Commission to write a text book on ‘Defence Economics' for University students. A rare combination of intellectualism and acativism Dr. Sharma is a multifaceted personality. He has earned reputation as an authentic interpreter of Gandhian Philosophy and Management expert.
There are no reviews yet.