Gandhi and European Imperialism, Essay Example

Gandhi was a great influence and leader in the freedom fight of India. His methods set the precedence for himself and empowered him amongst his peers. He led India to the independence they were seeking and this influence quickly spread worldwide. Gandhi had a nonviolent approach to demanding reform. His views on the European Imperialism and westernization differ from other. The overall goal was to better India and to remove the British rule. Understanding Gandhi’s views on liberalism dictates how he influenced westernization in India.

The dialog that shows Gandhi’s support in India separating from Britain, it clearly shows how important the separation is. It is necessary to understand how important it is for India to gain their independence. “Hind Swaraj (meaning Hindu self-rule) was a dialogue written by Gandhi in support of India’s Independence from Brittan”.[1]To Gandhi, getting independence was far greater than simply exiling the English from India. India has been made one nation under the decision of Congress. The divide created an awakening, spreading discontent and unrest across the nation. Their views and values did not align and it was necessary to step back and realize that their views on liberalism were far different than that of Brittan.

Gandhi explained in haste to obtain the Swaraj many individuals didn’t even understand what that even meant to them or for them. They understood that westernization to them meant separation from the European imperialism, but do not really understand why it is important.

It would do no good to India’s independence if they merely remove the English but continue on living by their rules. Having the army and the means to enforce it, the government can carry on without any obstacles. India was impoverished by the European government, living by their dictations. It was considered a state of slavery and they took their money to support the government. English rule without Englishmen is a great contradiction. The ideals for change did not for one second mean that it was acceptable to make India English. Just because the English found success with their government structure does not mean it is suitable for the needs of India.

By this Gandhi wanted to show that a government structure, even if it is strong, may not suit all people. Many believed that if they kept implemented the same ideals, void of English presence, India would find it to be beneficial to the people as well. This clearly is not the case, because India’s idea of a successful westernization was not the same that Brittan was striving for. Perhaps the heart of it or the true intent was to be successful without losing one’s soul is a better way to understand what Gandhi is saying about keeping the European government. A very common misunderstanding that Gandhi tried to clear up early in this writing was that removing the problem was not necessarily the solution. There was far more to consider than just that.

According to Gandhi, “societies have formed to cure the nations of evils of civilization”. Civilization is referred to as a disease. This means that is not as positive of an event as one would normally believe. Liberalism does not often coincide with civilization or industrialization. Liberalism supports the idea of equality and liberty. It does not provide grounds for the rich to get richer at the expense of the poor. This shows that Gandhi’s goals are not that to implement civilization in order for India to thrive more than they were before. Their money was being taken by the English unnecessarily, but Gandhi still pushed against the idea of making more to replace it. That was not his vision for his people.

Those who are consumed with the idea of civilization don’t see the problem with it. They only seek to find the truth of it, because they don’t see it as being wrong. When a person is controlled by misconceptions, they do not see the truth until it is right in front of their face. Gandhi also says that people living in civilization make physical possessions the objective in life. He uses the example that people who live in Europe live in far better houses today than they did centuries ago. This represents the evolution of civilization. Men use to be barbarians clothes in skins and carrying spears. Now they wear designer clothes, jewelry, and carry guns. Society evolves, civilization evolves, and this does not mean it is better than that of another time. It is impossible to compare. Things change continually unless all things are constant, there is no way to know if society today is the same as society a decade ago. Civilization is not gained through industrialization.

Gandhi continues on with his views on civilization. He uses the example of authors. In previous times, authors were few and far between. Now anyone can write a book and influence how people think whether it’s correct or not. It almost is a means to poison ones thinking, in all reality, if it’s in a book, it must be true. There is no research or no personal knowledge used to challenge the words, just acceptance. It dumbs down society. This is a big rift in civilization that Gandhi wants to avoid. He does not want his people to fall prey to the idea of accepting things for face value instead of using intelligence to determine truth.

In a way civilization is the same as evolution. Men use to walk or ride horses, now they can drive cars and ride in airplanes. Work use to be optional and done just to provide the essentials, but now is mandatory and it is to keep up with the society. People working in a dangerous field, risking their lives for the rich to get richer. They are also victims of their own riches. This means that they were fine before they has the things money could buy now that they experienced it they cannot live without it. Trying to compete with their neighbors even if they can’t really afford it. Diseases are running ramped. This never use to be a battle. They now need doctors and medicine and scientist to find cures. Things that were not necessary centuries ago. Just like human needs change, so does everything else in society. It’s not about liberalism in any manner.

This is what Gandhi equates to civilization, corruption and dishonesty. The changes is how we live and function and the need that is excessively growing. He also says that this type of civilization is not reflective of morality nor religion. He states “after twenty years of experience, I have come to the conclusion that immorality is often taught in the name of morality.” [2]Civilization seeks to improve how we live. It is almost a religion for the Europeans, continually striving for improvement and stopping at nothing to reach it. Muhammad calls civilization satanic and Hinduism calls it the black age. Society is innovative and industrious but not moral in the slightest. This is what Gandhi wanted to keep out of India.

Reverting back to the initial importance of India’s westernization, it clearly shows why retaining the governmental structure was not an option. It is a structure full of greed and wickedness. English people are extremely affected by this evil. Many don’t even know they have bought into the corruption. They see how society is evolving and strive to make their place in the midst. Never stopping to see that their society is lacking the moral capacity they should have. This is a very big reason why Gandhi wanted India’s independence. The complete separation from the former holds that Brittan had over them.

Freeing India can be as simple as removing the plague that is enslaving them. India’s civilization was in a great state, however the founders want more. The ones who have bought into Western civilization are now slaves to it. The universe is measured by our perception of what it should be. Making a miserable comparison is never going to measure up. Not falling into this destructive pattern is what will free India. This is what Gandhi sees Swaraj as.

English in India are not the problem if they adhere to the ways of India’s societal expectations. Swaraj rules themselves and sets their own standards. Setting the goals is the responsibility of the society. India is unique. It has survive many situations that many do not understand. They are moral and would choose that over advancements. The strength cannot be measured to other countries. Gandhi’s views on westernization in India were clearly dictated by liberalism. He wanted a change for his country and it was not dictated by materialism or greed. Clearly he was a wise man who influences on India in creating a civilization that is still prospering on their own terms to date.

Works Cited. 

Gandhi, Mahatma. List title of paper here. Print.

[1] Gandhi, Mahatma

[2]Gandhi, Mahatma