What Brought Down an Empire

An amazing thing happened in 1921, leading to an even more remarkable thing in 1947. Things we could learn a great deal from. Not sure many of us are open to it, though. Seems too simple, outdated, couldn’t possibly work with what we’re up against, life’s so much more complicated now.

Ah, complication, so many of us revel in it. More than a few opponents of today’s ruling regime fairly qualify as policy wonks, forever puzzling over plans and programs and procedures. As the wonks elaborate arguments, the regime sharpens swords. The wonks underappreciate or overlook entirely the fact that politics is more emotional than intellectual, causing them to turn a blind eye to how passions are stirred and masses are moved by what they regard as mere symbolism.

There’s a weapon of considerable power lying there, right in front of them, they don’t pick it up, don’t even see it.

Mahatma Gandhi saw such a weapon, used it, brought an empire to its knees, freed his people, 340 million of them. In his ca…