Conquest of Violence: The Gandhian Philosophy of Conflict

by Joan Valerie Bondurant

When Mahatma Gandhi died in 1948 by an assassin's bullet, the most potent legacy he left to the world was the technique of satyagraha (literally, holding on to the Truth). His "experiments with Truth" were far from complete at the time of his death, but he had developed a new technique for effecting social and political change through the constructive conduct of Gandhian satyagraha had become eminently more than "passive resistance" or "civil disobedience."


By relating what Gandhi said to what he did and by examining instances of satyagraha led by others, this book abstracts from the Indian experiments those essential elements that constitute the Gandhian technique. It explores, in terms familiar to the Western reader, its distinguishing characteristics and its far-reaching implications for social and political philosophy.

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction, Philosophy, History, India, Politics, College

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1971

Reviews

[Daniel Hadley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gandhi's idea of Satyargraha - non-violent, active, ascetic resistance - was brilliant. It really puts the protests and marches I've been on to shame. He would make a specific demand, then organize, protest, cajole, persuade, fast or do anything necessary, short of causing violence, to obtain his demand. Gandhi may have had a dark side (I don't know because this book doesn't mention it), but he was a saint as far as I'm concerned.

[Rick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent discussion of Gandhi's satyagraha which incorporates not just non-violence but a creative way for competeing factions to come to agreement when no agreement seems possible.

[Glen Gersmehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

among the best explorations of the core insights of Gandhian nonviolence