Question

Research Adam Smith. Topics should include history of who he is, his experience relating to the economy of his time period, and his contributions to economics. You should place the most emphasis on his beliefs and contributions to economics.

Answer 1

To add to the wonderful research that you have already done:

Mahatma Gandhi’s Leadership movements:

Satyagraha Movement: ‘Satya’ means Truth and ‘Agraha’ means agreement. This movement thus meant agreement in justice. The Britishers had applied Salt tax making it very difficult for the common men, the Indians to pay for this very essential edible product. Gandhi argued for declaration of salt as a tax-free product for all. As a result, Salt march mainly known as Salt Satyagraha movement was carried out in the year 1930, under his leadership. This movement was an essential part of Indian Independence movement and non-violent resistance against tax. Gandhiji led this Dandi march with lot of followers behind him. On the 24th day, he vowed to produce more salt by visiting the sea-sides, without paying any tax and soon he broke the law for salt, which sparked outrage among Britishers. After this, Gandhiji was arrested and this news gained a lot of attention in the press.

Gandhiji further focused on expanding initiatives against the untouchables, alcoholism and removal of all bad habits.

Quit-India Movement: This was a civil disobedience movement launched in the year 1942. The Do or Die phrase was applied here where a mass protest led by the All India Congress Committee was proclaimed on a large scale. Within no time, the Quit India Movement was crushed badly. Britishers also refused to grant Independence to India and declared that it will happen once World War II ends. During these movements by Mahatma Gandhi, a lot of political leaders and followers got imprisoned for a long period of time. But then British Government finally realized that India will no more be under their control and the main question raised was how to exit peacefully from such a terrible situation.

Non-cooperation Movement: Gandhiji’s main motive was to establish non-cooperation, non-violence and made these non-violent movements as his weapons against Britishers. Gandhiji’s strong decision took actions against British Raj and then he began to focus on forming self-government and soon establish Swaraj i.e. own-ruling. And hence, non-cooperation was well established. Further even the nonviolence movement included boycotting foreign British products and supporting the indigenous production and wearing the domestic made fabric called ‘Khadi’.

All these movements showed the strong leadership style of Gandhi. Even without hurting the British in physical form, his weapon of non-violence itself was enough to show the path of freedom and justice. It is to be interestingly noted that as a speaker, Gandhi was a hesitant public speaker and spoke in a low tone. However, his charismatic personality was enough to draw the interest of all classes of Indians towards his principles. A central quality of his leadership was its natural evolution through intense interaction with the people and the events. He was acutely conscious of his own imperfections. Self-correction is an important characteristic of true leadership skill. It is only when an individual stands by his own advices and principles that he can guide the others to practically apply the same.

Leaders need to develop and follow their conscience even more than ordinary people as they set the path for others. In this regard, Gandhi’s commitment to service had incorporated a strong sense of conscience, courage, and character.

Gandhi’s leadership was a running ethical lesson to his followers as well as his opponents on ‘how to live’. His basic ethical tenets of leadership included the principles of conduct which are given below:

Truth
Nonviolence
Right Means and Right Ends
Primacy of Duties over Right
The Deed, not the Doer
True Religion (Universality and Brotherhood)
Aparigraha or Non-possession (voluntary Poverty)
Yajna (Sacrifice and Service)
Satyagraha or Nonviolent Conflict Resolution