E-Book - Mahatma Gandhi

Gandhi's 'Theory of Trusteeship… 228Industrial system; that it does not have the power to induce orcompel the State to intervene to hold the balance or assurejustice; that intermediate classes would disappear; that the Statewould identify itself with capital even if the State is run by agovernment that depends on the consent of labour as well; thatthe working class will not have the power to induce correctiveaction within the political system; that the attempt to destroythe State and establish a dictatorship of the proletariat is sure tosucceed.It is not possible in this paper to examine each of theseassumptions from the Gandhian point of view. But enough hasbeen said in earlier paragraphs to indicate Gandhi's faith in thepower of labour to end exploitation by united action, his lack offaith in violence, his faith in human nature and mutualism ofinterest and his faith in non-violent, non-cooperation assupporting action in the political field.In fact, so much has happened in the last century inwidely distant place, in societies at different stages ofeconomic, political, historical, and technological developmentto cast serious doubts on each of these assumptions, that theexperience of the last century is demanding ever increasingingenuity to defend these assumptions. An alternative cannot,therefore, be judged by its ability to fit into a moth-eaten mouldthat has moved to the twilight zone between hope and despair.The foregoing paragraphs show that the theory ofTrusteeship was not conceived "as a compromise to enable therich and the working classes to work together during thestruggle for independence. It was not a compromise with therich, or a sop to the poor. It evolved as an integral part of thetheory and dynamics of a non- violent revolution in the field ofeconomic relations.