Trusteeship of Gandhiji

"Supposing I have come by a fair amount of wealth

either by way of legacy, or by means of trade and industry I must know that all that wealth does not belong to me; what belongs to me is the right to an honourable livelihood, no better than that enjoyed by millions of others. The rest of my wealth belongs to the community and must be used for the welfare of the community."

Trusteeship of Gandhiji
In the first instance, everything must be surrendered to

God and then out of it one may use only that which is necessary for the service of God's creation, according to one's strict needs.
When an individual had more than his respective portion,

he became a trustee of that portion for God's people.

Gandhi suggested this doctrine as an answer to the

economic inequalities a kind of nonviolent way of resolving all social and economic conflicts.

Trusteeship of Gandhiji
ideal combination of economics and morals. (i)Trusteeship provides a means of transforming the present

capitalist order of society into an egalitarian one. It gives no quarter to capitalism, but gives the present owning class a chance to reform itself. It is based on the faith that human nature is never beyond redemption. (ii) It does not recognize any right of private ownership of property except so far as it may be permitted by society for its own welfare. (iii) It does not exclude legislation of the ownership and use of wealth.

Trusteeship of Gandhiji
(iv) Thus under state regulated trusteeship, an individual will

not be free to hold or use his wealth for selfish satisfaction in disregard to the interests of society. (v) Just as it is proposed to give a decent minimum living wage, a limit should be fixed for the maximum income that would be allowed to any person in society. The difference between such minimum and maximum incomes should be reasonable and equitable and variable from time to time, so much so that the tenancy would be towards the obliteration of the difference. (vi) Under the Gandhian economic order, the character of production will be determined by social necessity and not by personal greed.

Gandhi deals with the concept of trusteeship at four different levels.

Firstly, he talks of Trusteeship as the sole means of

continuously redistributing wealth and simultaneously assures the generation and intelligent use of wealth. This is an outcome of non-violence, for wealth could be redistributed coercively but the resulting greed of many and the resentment of the displaced paves way for social strife and self-alienation. The trusteeship therefore provides the owner the satisfaction of seeing himself as trustees of the wealth of the society.

Gandhi deals with the concept of trusteeship at four different levels.

Secondly, the concept of trustee was based on Gandhis

practical psychological intuition. Gandhi understood the great value of acceptability in a stable social order. A proper redistribution can only be achieved when the element of fear is no longer is a repealing factor. Fear, which he symbolizes with weakness, creates an environment of distrust and hiding in a coop of self-protective formulations. This can only be countered by a fundamental change by creative, tolerant activity; sense of dignity and courage. The workers realize their importance in society and shed the fear of and distrust of the rich while the latter will no longer feel their existence threatened but would realize their great responsibility towards uplift-ment of society.

Gandhi deals with the concept of trusteeship at four different levels.

Thirdly, Gandhi said that the trusteeship concept could be

achieved by implementing in degrees. He was bowed down by the fear of failure considering that if it did fails it would be one of the many conventional social proposals. But it was a success, its strength would be the principle and it would not have the weakness of inflexibility by creating spaces fro adjustment. Another strength of it was that action of a few towards it could break mental barrier which so subdues progress. Gradually, statutory trusteeship could be evoked where trustees power of appointment and states power of review will strike a balance for the welfare of people.

Gandhi deals with the concept of trusteeship at four different levels.

Fourthly, the time of Gandhi, as presently, was

characterized by spiritual poverty and psychological failure. That made him visualize that the time was ripe for implementing a change.

Organization following principle of trusteeship

Birla: is an example of how one business group

incorporated trusteeship idea into its purpose

It has been the policy of house of Birla not to build up

business with view of accumulation of capital but to develop unexplored lines, harness the underdeveloped resources of the company, create skilled labour and managerial talents, spread education