Gandhi, The Economist: Shining A New Light On The Mahatma

Numerous weighty tomes have been written about Mahatma Gandhi’s views on ethics, religion, human nature, education, and society. A lawyer, a political leader, a spiritual leader, a philosopher, the man was multi-faceted. But not much has been written about Gandhi, the economist. He frequently advocated trusteeship as a means of morally transforming the Indian society. Gandhi’s doctrine of trusteeship needs further examination: beyond morality and socialism. Could Gandhi’s ideas have capitalist roots too?
 
Would it be unorthodox to call Gandhi a ‘Capitalist’? Did Gandhi’s ideas signal his acceptance of business and prosperity? Would it be scientific to tag Mahatma Gandhi with tropes of capitalism, trade, and wealth because he was a self-described vanika putra – the son of a bania? Can we make an intellectual connection between Mahatma Gandhi and Adam Smith? Could Gandhi share the podium with Smith, Keynes, and Ricardo in an economics classroom?
 
Our speaker, an entrepreneur and an author, has extensively researched the writings of and about Mahatma Gandhi. He will share a refreshing take on Gandhi’s ideas and will suggest a rethink of our understanding of the Father of the Nation.