Book Details

• Author: Terry Beitzel and Chandrakant Langare

• Publisher: Rawat Publications

• Language: English

• Edition: 2021

• ISBN: 9788131611906

• Pages: 440

• Cover: Hardcover

About the Book

Rethinking Mahatma Gandhi: The Global Appraisal is a profound tribute to the life and philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi, commemorating his 150th birth anniversary. This volume explores Gandhi’s towering influence on nationalism, peace, non-violence, and socio-political thought, not just in India but across the globe. Compiled and edited by Terry Beitzel and Chandrakant Langare, this scholarly collection revisits Gandhian ideas through a wide-ranging global lens that is both retrospective and forward-looking.

The book captures diverse interpretations and analytical frameworks from global scholars, all converging to reassess and reframe Gandhian discourse in the context of today's world. The contributors delve into Gandhi’s legacy across themes such as anarchism, nationalism, economics, feminism, education, village development, decolonization, and social justice. Essays such as “An Enlightened Anarchist: Gandhi’s Relationship to Anarchism”, “Gandhi and the Art of Asceticism”, and “Mahatma Gandhi and Fake News” reflect the continued relevance of Gandhian principles in the modern era.

Notably, this book does not restrict itself to political philosophy. It explores Gandhian influence on cinema, literature, civic responsibility, leadership, and ethics, thereby demonstrating the vast interdisciplinary reach of his ideology. A major strength of the work lies in its structure—designed to mirror both the thematic depth and global resonance of Gandhi’s worldview—creating an intellectual journey that is reflective, comparative, and contemporary.

This richly curated anthology includes 31 thought-provoking essays by respected scholars and practitioners from India and abroad. The voices included offer a comprehensive re-evaluation of Gandhian thought in the context of global crises, trust deficits, and evolving ideas of justice and democracy. From examining Gandhi’s influence on Martin Luther King Jr. and rural development to his engagement with Ambedkar and perspectives on women's leadership, the collection is a powerful call to revisit Gandhism as a living, breathing ideology with answers for the 21st century.

About the Editors:
Terry Beitzel, Director of the Mahatma Gandhi Center for Global Nonviolence and Professor at James Madison University, is an internationally recognized scholar of peace studies and Gandhian thought. With advanced degrees from Harvard and George Mason University, Beitzel has published extensively on non-violence, justice, and civil resistance, collaborating on global projects in Guinea, India, Kenya, and Kosovo.
Chandrakant Langare, Associate Professor of English at Shivaji University, Kolhapur, is a noted academic in literature, film, and cultural studies. His scholarly contributions span international conferences and publications, with a focus on cross-cultural literary engagement.

This book is a vital resource for academics, students, and anyone seeking to understand or re-engage with the rich legacy of Mahatma Gandhi in a rapidly changing world.