Gandhi S Peace Army

With an increase in United Nations peacekeeping operations around the world and with the problems faced by the UN forces in Somalia and Bosnia, there is growing debate about their future and the possible alternatives to resolving international and intercommunal conflicts. Thomas Weber examines the viability of unarmed peacekeeping through a detailed investigation of Gandhi's peace army, which has inspired many of the attempted campaigns of unarmed peacekeeping. The Shanti Sena, which is based largely on Mahatma Gandhi's ideas, was established in 1958, ten years after his death. Sena members, found only in India, are involved in conflict resolution on a grass-roots level, using peace-building techniques that have inspired international groups such as the World Peace Brigade, the Cyprus Resettlement Project, and Peace Brigades International. Relying on interviews with key participants and analysts of the peace army and archival documents, the book contributes greatly to the study of unarmed peacekeeping. It marks the first time anyone has chronicled in such detail the activities and history of the Shanti Sena during its most active years of 1957 to 1975.

The recent large-scale communal disturbances in India have prompted some older Gandhians to voice the opinion that the time may have come to reactivate the Shanti Sena, Mahatma Gandhi s Peace Army, that did impressive work in promoting communal harmony between the late 1950 s and the mid-1970s. Although the idea of a Shanti Sena was considered to be of fundamental importance by Gandhi, he had little success in setting it up in his lifetime. It took the foresight and efforts of Vinoba Bhave and Jayaprakash Narayan, and the organising ability of Narayan Desai. The history of this peace army that they brought into life and directed is not only an inspiring one, it is also important, given the rise in sectarian violence in India and the recent growth of international peace teams that looks to the Sena for motivation and guidance. Sena members worked in conflict resolution at the grassroots level and undertook peace missions during riots, convinced dacoits to turn themselves into authorities , carried out relief work following wars, experimented with nonviolent defence, conducted nonviolence training camps and even played a role in unarmed peacekeeping work in the international sphere. Relying on interviews with key participants and archival material, this thought-provoking work contributes greatly to the study of a unique experiment in practical nonviolence. This is the first study of its kind that has chronicled in such detail the activities and history of the Shanti Sena during its most active years, and discussed the prospects for its reinvigoration.

The so-called 'war on terror' has gone badly for the West, playing directly into the strategy of al-Qa'ida and the rest of the terrorist network. Why did this happen? Were there other approaches that might have been implemented with better prospects of success? This edited collection of perspectives on the non-violent counter to terrorism opens the topic to serious consideration. The development of a non-violent paradigm brings into sharp focus the deficiencies of present thinking, and paves the way for comprehending how non-violence might overcome those deficiencies and introduce viable alternatives. Since there is a general ignorance about the history, theory and operational dynamics of non-violence, these aspects are featured throughout the book, and related to the special case of terrorism. To understand empathetically the background and mind-set of the opponent (without condoning his actions), to study his culture, to avoid the strategic trap he has set, to examine the different gender reactions of a Muslim Society, to differentiate between non-violent Islam and Islamic Terrorism, to jettison the misinformed baggage we carry about violence, to appreciate the positive role education and aesthetics can play, and to investigate ways in which a non-violent counter to terrorism might be staged, including a Gandhian response. These are just some of the tasks that the contributors have collectively pursued. Their ideas excitingly open up a whole new set of possibilities for a more peaceful world.

A collection of words and inspiration by Mahatma Gandhi, one of the 20th Century's most preeminent humanitarians. Featuring an introduction by Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

This book provides analyses with respect to a wide range of contemporary issues, from China to Eurasia, including Turkey's foreign policy, conflicts in the Eastern Mediterranean, Caucasia, Central Asia, Russia, EU, migration, Middle Eastern issues, current conflicts and influences over global competition, energy security and the future of struggles on energy resources, the structure of intra-state conflicts and foreign terrorist fighters. In the study, many interesting questions, such as whether China will turn to a maritime great power in the Pacific Sea, possible impacts of China's BRI project on global politics, the future of the new great game in China's westward politics, and possible effects of North-South corridor on regional power struggle are also examined.

Thomas Weber's book comprises a series of biographical reflections about people who influenced Gandhi, and those who were, in turn, influenced by him. Whilst previous literature tended to focus on Gandhi's political legacy, Weber's book explores the spiritual, social and philosophical resonances of these relationships, and it is with these aspects of the Mahatma's life in mind, that the author selects his central protagonists. These include friends such as Henry Polak and Hermann Kallenbach, who are not as well known as those usually cited, but who left a deep impression nevertheless, and motivated some of Gandhi's major life changes. Conversely, the work of luminaries such as E. F. Schumacher and Gene Sharp reveal the Mahatma's influence in arenas which are not traditionally associated with his thinking. Weber's book offers intriguing insights into the life and thought of one of the most significant figures of the twentieth century.

This book is a great contribution to Peace Research. It places India in the world as a worthy player in international relations from ancient times. The selection of four of the most significant historical peaks over two millennia, the Ashoka era, the Pala era, the Orientalist era and the Gandhi era shows the uniqueness of India's peaceful history, relevant not only for herself, but for the whole of humankind. To the point that in present times, her engagement is destined to contribute to the urgent long-awaited transformation of the United Nations Organization. J.S.