Revolution anyone? This is for those among us that think we can always fall back on revolution.

[marions ghost]

74. Gandhi couldn't live forever

and his message was meant for future generations. It's up to the living to pick up the torch. I agree with you that in reality things haven't changed enough--not in India and not in many parts of the world. However I think most Indians would say that India is better off, though problems remain.

This backsliding doesn't mean that Gandhi failed. Kinda like saying the teachings of Jesus failed because of the fact that those who call themselves Christians rarely succeed in living the principles. I'd rather see it that the implications of Gandhi's message remain as a challenge to the world, not only for India.

The point in this thread is that Gandhi left a blueprint for how to negotiate with oppressors without resorting to war, called Satyagraha. More bloodshed would not have solved anything at the time.
It is not a passive philosophy--it is a different kind of fighting. People often make this mistake about Gandhi--they think he just sat down and refused to fight. Not at all. He was a tireless fighter, but he conducted a mental and spiritual war. He tried to appeal to the higher good in the self and in society, what he called the common sense of "truth" --winning out over forced domination and war-making. You don't change the ancient human urge to correct things by fighting and bloodshed overnight! It's a matter of behavioral evolution.

In America these days, the forces against social justice and democratic government are strong. It's a good time to look back at the principles that Gandhi lived and died for. If you're talking about creating a climate for real change.