One common agreement between Gandhism and Marxism is:
- The final goal of a stateless society
- Class struggle
- Abolition of private property
- Economic determinism
Explanation
Option (a) is correct
- Both Gandhism and Marxism share the ultimate goal of achieving a stateless society, but their approaches and philosophies differ markedly. Gandhism envisions a stateless society founded on the principles of non-violence, truth, and simplicity. Gandhi advocated for establishing a self-governing society based on local, community-driven institutions.
- Marxism, rooted in the ideas of Karl Marx, aims for a classless and stateless society as the final phase of human history. Marxists see the state as a tool of class oppression that should eventually dissolve after the working class (proletariat) takes control of the means of production. In Marxist thought, the stateless society is a communist one, characterised by common ownership of the means of production and the absence of social classes.
Option (b) is incorrect
- Central to Marxism is the concept of class struggle, which drives historical change and the overthrow of capitalist societies. Marxists believe that the conflict between the proletariat (working class) and bourgeoisie (capital-owning class) is inevitable and necessary to achieve a classless society.
- Gandhi advocated for harmonious relations between classes, promoting non-violence, cooperation, and the concept of trusteeship, where the wealthy act as custodians of wealth for the welfare of society.
Option (c) is incorrect
- Marxists seek the abolition of private property as it is viewed as the root cause of exploitation and inequality. The means of production should be collectively owned to ensure that resources benefit everyone equally. Gandhi disapproved of the violent dispossession of private ownership as advocated and practised by communists. He also did not approve of state ownership as the solution to the problem of private ownership. Instead, he proposed trusteeship, in which property owners voluntarily use their wealth for the welfare of society.
Option (d) is incorrect
- This concept is fundamental to Marxism, where economic factors are seen as the primary driving force behind societal change and historical development. Marxists argue that material conditions and economic relationships shape all aspects of society, including politics, culture, and ideology.
- Gandhi’s approach was rooted in ethical and spiritual values, emphasising moral choices and human will over economic forces as drivers of change. Gandhi prioritised ethical living, non-violence, and self-reliance, distancing his philosophy from purely economic considerations.
