New Books in Political Science Vinay Lal, "Gandhi, Truth, and Nonviolence: The Politics of Engagement in Post-Truth Times" (Oxford UP, 2025)
Aug 21, 2025
Vinay Lal, a Professor of history at UCLA and editor of a collection on Gandhi, dives into the revolutionary ideas surrounding the iconic leader in today's post-truth era. He discusses Gandhi's views on nonviolence, distinguishing it from passive peace, and examines satyagraha as a means to awaken shared moral ground. Lal warns against reducing Gandhi to a token symbol and emphasizes his critique of industrial modernity and inclusivity rooted in social practice. Expect deep insights into Gandhi's enduring relevance in political activism today.
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Gandhi In Post-Truth Politics
- Gandhi's twin ideas of satya (truth) and ahimsa (nonviolence) face new challenges in 'post-truth' politics.
- Understanding Gandhi now requires rethinking truth beyond facts and nonviolence beyond mere absence of violence.
Nonviolence As A Way Of Being
- Gandhi viewed nonviolence as an active way of being, not merely the absence of violence or a conflict outcome.
- Nonviolence for Gandhi included dispositions: speech, treatment of others, and equality in daily life.
Truth As Striving, Not Just Facts
- Lal distinguishes Gandhi's philosophical 'truth' from modern reduction of truth to facts or competing accounts.
- For Gandhi, truth is a striving toward clarity and the truth of our being, not only empirical facts.