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| Resolving Conflict Through Non-Violence: The Gandhian Model — A representative image. |
File Information
| Document Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | RESOLVING CONFLICT THROUGH NON-VIOLENCE: THE GANDHIAN MODEL |
| Author | Sanchita Chakraborty (Assistant Professor, Siliguri College) |
| Subject | An analysis of Gandhi's nonviolent approach to conflict resolution, with emphasis on ahimsa, satyagraha, constructive programmes, and peace building. |
| Category | Journal article |
| Institution | Scholarly Research Journal for Humanity Science & English Language |
| Main Topics | Gandhian conflict resolution, ahimsa and satyagraha, constructive programmes, structural violence, peace research, nonviolent resistance, international and domestic conflict |
| Number of Pages | 9 |
| Language | English |
| File Type | |
| File Size | 411.1 KB |
Summary Note of this Document
RESOLVING CONFLICT THROUGH NON-VIOLENCE: THE GANDHIAN MODEL
This article examines conflict resolution through the Gandhian model of non-violence. Sanchita Chakraborty argues that Gandhi's approach rests on ahimsa and satyagraha, which replace coercion and retaliation with moral persuasion, empathy, dialogue, and self-discipline. The paper situates this model within broader conflict theory by referencing thinkers such as Lewis Coser, Johan Galtung, John Burton, Edward Azar, and John Paul Lederach, showing how peace studies have conceptualized conflict as social, structural, and psychological rather than merely personal. It also contrasts Gandhi's perspective with violent and power-based approaches to dispute settlement. A major focus of the article is Gandhi's multi-dimensional strategy, which combines direct action with constructive programmes aimed at removing the social conditions that generate conflict. The discussion links this framework to untouchability, labor-capital relations, trusteeship, village deprivation, communal tension, disarmament, and world peace. The author further presents nonviolence as a practical method for domestic disputes and international reconciliation, using examples such as Indo-Bangladesh water tensions and the wider postwar search for peace. Overall, the article presents Gandhi's philosophy as an ethically grounded and socially transformative model for sustaining peace.
Core Themes
- Nonviolent conflict resolution
- Moral persuasion and dialogue
- Structural causes of conflict
- Constructive social reform
- Peace and reconciliation
Keywords
About Mahatma Gandhi
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi lived from 1869 to 1948. Born in India, he trained as a lawyer and became a political thinker. Colonial rule repelled him. He opposed it fiercely and eventually led India’s independence movement.
Gandhi pioneered Satyagraha, the power of truth and nonviolent resistance. He put these ideals into practice during political and social upheavals. Over twenty years in South Africa shaped his thinking. That’s where he developed his tactics of nonviolent defiance. He returned to India in 1915 and launched major movements against British rule. Non-Cooperation Movement. Salt March. Quit India Movement. Each one challenged colonial domination.
In 1883 he married Kasturba Gandhi. Marriage and family life remained central to who he was. He spoke powerfully about his beliefs. His writing included Hind Swaraj, Satyagraha in South Africa, and The Story of My Experiments with Truth, his autobiography.
His vision stretched beyond political independence. Religious harmony mattered to him. Social equality. Self-reliance. Women’s rights. Ending untouchability. All of these were part of what he fought for.
Nonviolence and Satyagraha shaped movements worldwide. Civil rights activists drew from his example. Freedom struggles across the globe felt his influence. His approach changed how people thought about resistance and change.
Complete Gandhi Research Collection
Download the entire collection of Gandhi research PDFs available on HISTORY MARG