Mr. Sanjit Barman
PhD Research Scholar, Department of Philosophy, Presidency University, Kolkata
E-mail: iamsanjitbarmannbu@gmail.com
Issue: Volume 2 No. 1 (March 2026) Anubodhan
Received: 27 March 2026 / Accepted: 29 March 2026 / Published: 31 March 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.65885/anubodhan.v2n1.2026.045
Abstract
Gandhi is often described as an individualist thinker. The political ideals Gandhiji adopted during the Indian Independence Movement to protect the rights and freedoms of the citizens from the monopoly and exploitation of British imperialism were undoubtedly rooted in individualism. However, a deeper study of Gandhi’s socio-political philosophy reveals that his conception of an ideal society aligns with the contemporary Western philosophical perspective of communitarianism. Fundamentally, communitarianism is an approach that opposes deontological, individualistic, and atomistic views of life and society. Communitarians argue that self-interest and strict individualism—hallmarks of modern living—are harmful to social cohesion. It only brings rootlessness and isolation and, therefore, destruction. In contrast, communitarians emphasise community values, prioritise collective interests over individual interests, and advocate for the revival of traditional cultural and community life. In Gandhi’s philosophy, alongside individualism, we find that he also emphasises the importance of tradition, culture, a sense of duty, and community life to establish a just and harmonious society. Therefore, the main focus of this paper is to uphold the communitarian values Gandhi incorporated into his vision of an ideal state—Swaraj, or Ramarajya.
Keywords: Gandhi, liberalism, communitarianism, Swaraj, and community
How to cite: Barman, S. (2026). Gandhi’s Communitarian Ethos: A Philosophical Exploration. Anubodhan, 2(1), 475–488. https://doi.org/10.65885/anubodhan.v2n1.2026.045