Gandhiji's Theory Of Property Analysis

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Locke proposed his theory of property in 17th century. Since then there has been a lot of interpretations of his theory. These interpretations, no doubt, were based on the context of its interpreters. However, when we look at the social impact of Lockean theory, we see these interpretations have often contributed more in the creation of various kinds of inequalities in society. In this context the ideas of Gandhiji in political philosophy stands unique. Though, Gandhiji was never trying to forward any interpretation to Lockean theory, his concept of trusteeship nevertheless tried to bridge the social inequalities in a moral way. It tried to look at society in a very different way than what Lockean philosophy did. It was without doubt the uniqueness …show more content…

The problem therefore arises as to how to make the rich keep their property within moderate limits. Even if inequality of wealth due to unjust social order is abolished by law or by expropriation, some inequality is bound to reappear at a later date because of differences among individuals in talent, physical strength, etc. Gandhiji would not use violence to dispossess the rich of their superfluous wealth. The use of non-violent method consists in convincing the rich that the wealth they possess is the fruit of labour of the people and not the product of their own unaided efforts. It is a social product and should be treated as such. Gandhiji therefore proposed to awaken the rich to a consciousness of their duties and responsibilities to the society and consider themselves not as the owners of the wealth possessed but as its trustees. He would leave them in possession of what they owned and let them use what they reasonably required for their needs, and in regard to the remainder act as trustees on behalf of the community. The principle of trusteeship is thus Gandhiji’s formula for solving the problem created by the great and unjust disparities in the distribution of wealth.
Gandhiji evolved his theory of trusteeship on his two basic concepts which is truth and non-violence. One can say, Truth (Satya), Non-violence (Ahimsa) and Non-Possession (Aparigraha) led Gandhiji to the concept of

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