Satyagraha: The Power of Nonviolent Resistance for Political Change - Essay Sample

Introduction

Satyagraha is the use of nonviolence resistance, which was started by Mahatma Gandhi. He used Satyagraha in India in the Independence movement as well as in South Africa in his earlier struggle. Gandhi advocated and used nonviolent protest as a solution to political problems. Many people doubt the effectiveness of Satyagraha in resolving political problems. It can, however, solve the political problems because it is based on the principle of truth, resistance to harm others as well as self-sacrifice.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Save 25%

One of the advantages of using nonviolence resistance is that no one gets hurt. This approach, therefore, promotes humanity, and this can be attributed to its success. Gandhi used it to lead his people to struggle for independence. Britain colonized India, and through the leadership of Gandhi and the use of Satyagraha, they attained independence (Duncan). Gandhi's campaign was based on civil disobedience. This doctrine as since gained popularity and influences civil rights leaders globally. World-known leaders such as Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela used civil disobedience.

One of the reasons why Satyagraha can effectively be used in solving political problems is because defeat is unlikely to happen. Satyagraha can be effective in solving political problems. The approach uses love force, truth-force, and soul force (Duncan). Political problems can be solved effectively by confronting issues by presenting facts. The violence is conquered through nonviolence and lies by the truth. Satyagraha works by educating the public on the importance of using peaceful protests to make the opponents believe in what is true.

On the other hand, Gandhi's system of non-violence can fail to adequately address all political issues. There are instances where leaders refuse to obey the rule of the people and in such instances violence is the only way (Duncan). Regimes where dictators are in power violence are the only way because the dictators will start violence in any attempt to remove them in power. When some political leaders begin violence their counterparts do not have an alternative but to defend themselves hence the violence is used to settle political differences. It is challenging to convince all political parties not to use violence. Also, when those in power no that there are no consequences of their actions they are not likely to cooperating in finding the solution to the conflicts. When leaders fear the violence they cooperate because they don't want to lose power violently.

Political conflict is a challenge that affects many countries around the world where political parties and leaders do not agree with political events such as elections leading to politics. The conflicts have provoked research where researchers have been trying to find the solution to political challenges. Gandhi is among the researchers that have tried to end the challenge of political violence. Gandhi argued that it was difficult to differentiate personal philosophy and behavior and politics (Duncan). The challenge is changing the behavior of the people. The politicians need to use nonviolence ways while demanding for their rights.

Most of the political problems happen because of self-political interests of some of the members of the political class because they want to remain in political power at the expense of other people. Leaders that use non-violence ways have many followers hence in case the political parties chose to use violence many people would suffer. I agree that non-violence is the best way therefore politicians need to use it in solving their issues without fighting (Duncan). There are some political challenges that Gandhi system does not address hence it's not fully effective in address political disagreements.

Gandhi was able to organize for political events peacefully without being violent despite being provoked into violence by political rivals that used violent in trying to settle political conflicts (Duncan). Gandhi had every reason to use violence in the demand for equality in India bearing in mind that he had spent time in south Africa during the apartheid period where there were conflicts between south Africans and the Europeans. Gandhi used civil disobedience that was non-violent. I believe that Gandhi's non-violent system is the answer to political problems because the politicians are able to achieve their political dreams without violence and the people don't suffer from the challenges that come up when violence is used.

However, there are challenges that the Gandhi's system of non-violence where the minority group is the one that is advocating for political reforms. Such political formations are not likely to be heard by the political organizations with majority people. The challenge of mobilizing enough numbers reduces the chances of the grievances of the minority groups being addressed. There is also the challenge of the other opposing group beginning violence in any confrontation. In such situations violence in unavoidable. The Gandhi system of non-violence is good but it relies on the good will of all stakeholders in the political system. For the system to work all the stakeholders are willing to use the non-violence way of dealing with non-violence system (Duncan).

Conclusion

In conclusion, I believe that Satyagraha can be used to solve political problems as it is based on the principle of truth, resistance to harm others as well as self-sacrifice. The political battle should not be fought using violence but should rather be solved using civil disobedience. If you believe that your ideologies as a politicians are correct ten, you push them peaceful without harming others. Also, if you feel that the opponent is lying, you should counter the lies with truth rather than fight them.

Works Cited

Duncan, Ronald. Selected Writings of Mahatma Gandhi. No. Sirsi) i9780006326205. 1971.