This topic covers two works by Ram Swarup that articulate Gandhian philosophy and its economic implications as a principled alternative to communism.

Gandhism and Communism: Principles and Technique

First published in 1955, this book compares the principles and methods of Gandhism and communism. It comprises two parts:

Part I: Principles

Fundamentals of Gandhism — Core teachings of non-violence, truth, self-reliance, and spiritual basis of politics
Gandhism and Communism — Contrasting worldviews: communism’s materialism and class war vs. Gandhism’s spiritual foundation and non-violent transformation
India’s Role in the World Conflict — How India’s civilisational values position it in the global struggle between freedom and totalitarianism

Part II: Technique

Premises of a Fourth Force — A non-aligned, principled political force beyond both Western capitalism and Soviet communism
Peace With Freedom — How to maintain peace without sacrificing liberty
Love Against Hate — The Gandhian method of political struggle as a spiritual discipline

Gandhian Economics: A Supporting Technology

First published in 1977, this monograph applies Gandhian principles to economic development, emphasising:

Prosperous Agriculture as the Foundation — Criticising Western-trained economists who focus on heavy industry while ignoring the hundreds of millions working in agriculture
Appropriate Technology — Technology should serve people, not displace them; small-scale, decentralised solutions are preferable
Critique of Modern Economics — Western economic models are “utterly irrelevant, completely wide of the mark” for Asian conditions
Rural Development — Raising the standard of living without disorganising traditional communities