Gandhi

The Traditional Roots of Charisma

Susanne Hoeber Rudolph, Lloyd I. Rudolph

• Publisher: University of Chicago Press
• Year: 2009
• Print ISBN: 9780226731360
• eBook ISBN: 9780226227603
• Topic: Social Sciences
• Subtopic: Political Process
• Index: Social Sciences

The Rudolphs' analysis reveals that Gandhi's charisma was deeply rooted in the aspects of Indian tradition that he interpreted for his time. They key to his political influence was his ability to realize in both his daily life and his public actions, cultural ideals that many Indians honored but could not enact themselves—ideals such as the traditional Hindu belief that a person's capacity for self-control enhances his capacity to control his environment. Appealing to shared expectations and recognitions, Gandhi was able to revitalize tradition while simultaneously breaking with some of its entrenched values, practices, and interests. One result was a self-critical, ethical, and inclusive nationalist movement that eventually led to independence.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Copyright
• Title Page
• Contents
• Preface
• Introduction
• The Fear of Cowardice
• Gandhi and the New Courage
• Self-Control and Political Potency
• This-Worldly Asceticism and Political Modernization
• The Private Origins of Public Obligation
• The New Meaning of Old Paths
• Notes
• Index