On the Theory of Nonviolence

The control and use of power was central to the thought of both Marx and Gandhi, yet they differed sharply in their views on how power should be exercised and for what purposes, and on how to respond to violence used against their movements. Marx, though he preferred to come to power through peaceful processes, was willing to use violence to defend socialism. Gandhi believed that violence could be rendered useless, even counterproductive, as a political tool. His strategy was to continue the pressures of nonviolent noncooperation and resistance, regardless of the degree of violence used on the other side. Marx’s position is consistent with the centralization of power, Gandhi’s with its decentralization.

Despite Marx...