Routledge Gandhi and Beyond: Nonviolence for a New Political Age

Is there room for nonviolence in a time of conflict and mass violence exacerbated by economic crisis? Drawing on the legend and lessons of Gandhi, Cortright traces the history of nonviolent social activism through the twentieth century to the civil rights movement, the Vietnam era, and up to the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Gaza. Gandhi and Beyond offers a critical evaluation and refinement of Gandhi's message, laying the foundation for a renewed and deepened dedication to nonviolence as the universal path to social progress. In the second edition of this popular book, a new prologue and concluding chapter situate the message of nonviolence in recent events and document the effectiveness of nonviolent methods of political change. Cortright's poignant "Letter to a Palestinian Student" points toward a radical new strategy for achieving justice and peace in the Middle East. This book offers pathways of hope not only for a new American presidential administration but for the world. Review “David Cortright is a life-long activist and respected scholar. In Gandhi and Beyond, he convincingly shows the power of nonviolence as a philosophy of life, not just a method of social action. His practical analysis of Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Dorothy Day, Cesar Chavez, and others brings new insights and inspiration to those of us attempting to live that philosophy, and to those, especially a new generation, who are seeking a better way to respond to their world. I commend this book to all who are seeking an alternative to violence.” ―Jim Wallis, author of God’s Politics and editor of Sojourners “Gandhi and Beyond is a marvelous book, admirably researched and accessibly written, suitable for courses in nonviolence and peace studies, or for anyone wanting to learn more about this crucially important topic.” ―David P. Barash, University of Washington, author of Peace and Conflict Studies, Approaches to Peace, and Understanding Violence “In Gandhi and Beyond veteran nonviolence activist David Cortright pulls together some important lessons from the recent history of the nonviolence movement. He gives us a strong new interpretation of Mahatma Gandhi’s teachings, looks at the legacy of U.S. thinker-activists like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Dorothy Day, and Barbara Deming, and draws heavily on his own experience as an antiwar organizer, too. Cortright’s clear exposition of the big themes of nonviolent activism could not be more timely. The tsunami of hyper-militarization that held much of the United States in its grip in the years right after 9/11 has finally started to recede, leaving more questions than before about how people can respond effectively and in nonviolent ways to the violence of our age, and how we can build a better world that ‘takes away the cause for war.’ Cortright helps provide some good answers.” ―Helena Cobban, columnist, Christian Science Monitor “David Cortright presents an overview of nonviolence that is warm yet critical, theoretical yet practical, historical and also transcontinental. Scholars and practitioners of peaceful struggle will profit from it and also enjoy it.” ―Rajmohan Gandhi, grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, Visiting Professor, University of Illinois “A useful and important book – the world would be a better place if Gandhi and Beyond were required reading at every church, high school, and university in the country. Why? Because Cortright has managed to explain in 221 pages how to transform nonviolent action from an admirable ideal to an effective vehicle for social change. If that’s not essential material for our movement, I don’t know what is.” ―Sojourners “Cortright gives us some practical tools and encourages us to try new, creative, and sometimes more risky, nonviolence methods…What we need in the struggle is persistence and hope according to Cortright. Both these traits have grown stronger in me with reading this book.” ―Martin Smedjeback, Peace News February 2007 “…an exc