Essay by Gandhi Mahatma Gandhi, in the book "Selected Political Writings", claimed that "swaraj" should be interpreted to mean "independence" d 'a nation or people. In this essay, I will discuss the following questions: Why did Gandhi think that nations should govern themselves? What does he mean when he suggests that “outward freedom will always be the measure of inward self-freedom?” This is why we often find that the laws that are made to grant us freedom often turn out to be the chains that bind us”? And why does he say that “war can give us another rule than English rule, but not autonomy”? Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay I will begin by answering the question of why Gandhi believed that nations should govern themselves. Gandhi uses the word “Swaraj” to mean independence or self-reliance. It says politically that 'Swaraj' is self-government and not good government, meaning that a country, India in this case, is independent of the control of another government; At the time, India was under the control of Britain. Gandhi witnessed the abuse, oppression and crisis his people found themselves in, which is why he led a non-violent civil disobedience movement. It was said that “liberation must ultimately begin with the colonized and end with the colonizers.” Gandhi realized that real power was never really in the colonizers (Britain) or the government, but in the hands of the people. Gandhi said that growth would come to India if 'swaraj' was achieved. This was really what he wanted, a big change to come to India; the kind of change that would encompass the whole of society, individuals and communities. He, however, did not say that it would be easy for "Swaraj" because it is not only "a change of government from British rule to Indian rule but a real change of mind on the part of the people.” Next, I will discuss what Gandhi meant when he said that “outward freedom will always be the measure of the freedom of the self inwardly.” Therefore, we often find that the laws that are made to grant us freedom often turn out to be chains that bind us.” In this quote, Gandhi says that his fellow Indians should have social reforms that do not depend on the departure of the British, what is called his "constructive program" (106), but are based on self-reform. He said that in response to his fellow Indians challenging him, these social reforms could only be achieved after Britain left. Social reforms were the main thing Gandhi focused on. He felt that it would not be enough to attack just India's politics or economy to achieve independence, but also attack society as a whole. This attack was known as a reform in which everyone had to commit to improving others and changing the society where power comes from. He also says that when he mentions "laws" he is referring to "legislators" and how they take it upon themselves to govern the people instead of just representing them. It is easy for those in power to abuse it and that is why real power must remain in the hands of the people. Gandhi had to illustrate this point for his people to free themselves from the Britain that ruled them. He has »..