ABSTRACT
Lohia was an original and unique thinker. His originality lies in not only challenging the dominant Western ideologies of his times but also endeavouring to chart out alternative theorisations and conceptualisations. This chapter familiarises readers with the ideas and thoughts of socialist thinker and activist Ram Manohar Lohia, who in his thoughts criticised dominant Western ideologies with an aspiration to re-formulate the concepts in an alternative perspective (uniquely Indian) that should suit the Indian conditions. It analyses capitalism, communism, and socialism. Lohia’s cyclical view of history convinced him that both communism and capitalism have exhausted all their possibilities for ameliorating the exploitative conditions of Third World countries in general and India in particular. He viewed socialism as a driving force tinged with dynamism aimed at curing the social ills and evils paving the way towards the rejuvenation of society. Thus, Lohia came up with an alternative and Indian version of socialism borrowed from Gandhian principles to secure development, progress, freedom, justice, and equality for all its citizens. He called it new socialism. His ideas and vision of socialism was an elastic and flexible concept. Lohia stressed the need for small machine technology. He put forward the principle of the four-pillar state and Sapta Kranti, with a view to decentralise power and authority. He thought this would make democracy and administration more decentralised, functional, and participatory. He also advocated certain measures aimed at reforming the Indian society. He wanted to abolish the rigidity of caste distinctions, gender discrimination, language barriers, and conservatism imbedded in Indian social life and emphasised on meaningful education.
