Training for military revolt means learning the use of arms, ending perhaps in the atomic bomb. For Civil Disobedience it means the Constructive Program. ~ Gandhi, Constructive Program, forward to 1945 edition, p. iii
It is very interesting how Gandhi locates Constructive Program (CP) in a parallel but opposite position to training in the use of arms, and it brings out the sharply contrasting ends of the two forces, violence and nonviolence. After all, CP builds the infrastructure of peace while weaponry condemns us to ongoing war; CP builds community while fighting, though it develops a temporary kind of bonding among fighters on the same side, chaos.
Thanks for sharing a comment below.
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By: Prof. Michael Nagler
As the Founder and President of Metta Center, Michael Nagler is also Professor Emeritus of Classics and Comparative Literature at UC, Berkeley, where he co-founded the Peace and Conflict Studies Program. Michael is the author of The Search for a Nonviolent Future and The Nonviolence Handbook: A Guide for Practical Action. His latest book is The Third Harmony: Nonviolence & the New Story of Human Nature. Visit his website: michaelnagler.org.
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I think you meant to say war, not CP, “builds community while fighting.” ??
It is interesting to learn that gandhi not only chooses the path of Non-violence but also shows the path to it.Instead of destructive weapons of Violent war ,he follows the constructive programs. During Indian struggle of independence also,whenever there was a break in direct civil disobedience,he & his followers were busy with 18 constructive programs described by him.Even after independence,the followers were busy in their field.Not only that but new dimensions were found by the followers for Non-violent movements like land-gift movement.
Very good to have your thoughts and comment, Geetha. Thank you. (Have you seen MAHATMA: Gandhi’s Life in Colour?).