NON-VIOLENCE: CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS

Though often misunderstood as a passive strategy non-violence at its core is an assertive act that as history shows empowers the people to keep illegitimate and coercive governance at bay. From the historic movements led by Mahatma Gandhi Martin Luther King Jr and Nelson Mandela to the recent Arab Spring in the Middle East the critical importance of non-violence as a cementing ideological force in present times has been repeatedly affirmed. Putting together the thoughts of philosophers and activists from Tolstoy and Thoreau to Bhikhu Parekh and Vandana Shiva this volume discusses the many theoretical articulations of non-violence. It also explores another aspect observed in history - of non-violence as a spiritual category. Through a critical analysis of the various intellectual journeys that led to the emergence of non-violent struggle as a viable form of protest and resistance such as the Bhoodan Movement the call for Sampoorna Kranti the Chipko Movement and the Narmada Bachao Andolan this book enables us to evaluate and understand non-violence in a historical perspective and appreciate its contemporary relevance.