Gandhi, Mao, Mandela, and Gorbachev - Studies in Personality, Power, and Politics

An examination of four charismatic personalities who shaped much of the political debate in the latter half of the 20th century, this study reveals how Gandhi, Mandela, Mao, and Gorbachev led movements that remade the world through their own selfless inspiration, dynamic political leadership, and genuine moral courage. DeLuca analyzes the relationship between politics, culture, and society by focusing upon the personalities of these four figures and the ways in which they addressed issues of social change and political upheaval. Though different in terms of time and location, the problems they faced were similar, be it in their attempts to overthrow a repressive political regime or to promote economic and institutional reform within an existing system.

While Gandhi's approach emphasized heightened spiritual awareness as a means of transforming the Indian people, Mandela's emphasis on a more militant form of social protest succeeded in stimulating the political energy of South Africa's black majority. Mao and Gorbachev's programs stood at opposite ends of the Marxist political spectrum. Mao made a popular revolution from below and sought to perpetuate the notions of total revolution and the complete transformation of the individual in Chinese society. Gorbachev, on the other hand, aimed to reform a stagnant Soviet system from above. Though his early initiatives engendered widespread enthusiasm, he was unable to restructure the Soviet system and ultimately found himself presiding over the collapse of the very system he had tried to revitalize.

Sommario

Preface
Gandhi and the Struggle for India's Independence
Mao and the Communist Revolution in China
Mandela and Freedom in South Africa
Gorbachev and the Collapse of the Soviet Union
Conclusion
Suggestions for Further Reading
Index

Info autore

ANTHONY R. DELUCA is Professor of History at Emerson College. He has travelled widely in Europe, Eastern Europe, and Russia. His other books include Great Power Rivalry at the Turkish Straits: The Montreux Conference and Convention of 1936 and Personality, Power, and Politics: Observations on the Historical Significance of Napoleon, Bismarck, Lenin, and Hitler.

Dettagli sul prodotto

• Autori: Anthony DeLuca, DeLuca Anthony R.
• Editore: Bloomsbury
• Lingue: Inglese
• Raccomandazione d'eta': 7 a 17 anni
• Formato: Copertina rigida
• Pubblicazione: 30.05.2000
• EAN: 9780275959692
• ISBN: 978-0-275-95969-2
• Categorie: Scienze umane, arte, musica > Storia > XX° secolo (fino al 1945); POLITICAL SCIENCE / Political Freedom, BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Political, Biography: historical, political & military, POLITICAL SCIENCE / Political Process / General, 20th Century, POLITICAL SCIENCE / History & Theory, HISTORY / World, 20th century history: c 1900 to c 2000, General & world history, 20th century, c 1900 to c 1999, Political science & theory, Political leaders & leadership, General and world history, Political science and theory, Biography: historical, political and military, Political control and freedoms, Political Control & Freedoms, Political leaders and leadership, Politics, Law, and Government: Comparative Politics