Final answer:
Gandhi's concept of ahimsa in politics promotes non-violent resistance to achieve political goals, focusing on the power of truth and moral persuasion rather than physical force. It embodies the idea that by refusing to enact violence, one can overcome oppressive systems and achieve significant social change without creating enemies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concept of ahimsa plays a significant role in politics according to Gandhi. It advocates for non-violent resistance as the method to achieve political and social objectives. Satyagraha, or holding to the truth, is the practice of non-violent civil disobedience, through which individuals resist injustices without causing harm to others, effectively dissolving the concept of 'enemy' from their perspective.
For Gandhi, politics was not about seeking power through aggression or force, but about empowering people through peaceful means. His practice of ahimsa was exemplified during India's struggle for independence, especially during nonviolent protests and hunger strikes, which were aimed at uniting factions and halting violence without the use of force.
Furthermore, Gandhi's ideology of nonviolence and ahimsa extended beyond Indian politics, influencing civil rights movements across the world, including the African-American struggle for civil rights in the United States, emphasizing the global impact of his political philosophy.