New ETSU book challenges readers to see Gandhi as political thinker for today
An East Tennessee State University professor is asking readers to take a fresh look at one of the 20th century’s most iconic figures, Mahatma Gandhi.
Dr. Michael Allen, a professor in ETSU’s Department of Philosophy and Humanities, has published a new book titled “Gandhi’s Popular Sovereignty of Truth: Devotional Democracy” with Palgrave Macmillan.
The book repositions Gandhi not simply as a figure of protest or peace, but as a serious political thinker whose ideas challenge modern assumptions about power, nationhood and the role of “the people.”
“I’ve felt for a while that it’s past time Gandhi be reassessed as a political philosopher,” Allen said. “Much of the earlier scholarship focused on liberal democratic interpretations of his work. But today, we’re grappling with different questions – about nationalism, populism, elite influence and the voice of ordinary people. Gandhi still has something to say in that conversation.”
In the book, Allen explores Gandhi’s relevance to current political discourse, contrasting his philosophy with both technocratic governance and illiberal nationalism. The book also touches on urgent issues like artificial intelligence, ethical treatment of animals and a concept Allen calls “devotional democracy,” something Allen developed to show how Gandhi’s idea of truth-telling can inspire alternative forms of sovereignty rooted in nonviolence.
Dr. David Harker, chair of the department, praised the work’s originality and relevance.
“Good philosophy involves listening to voices that haven’t always been given their due,” Harker said. “Dr. Allen’s book is an important contribution that brings Gandhi into direct conversation with contemporary political thought.”
Allen is one of the hundreds of ETSU faculty members generating critical and timely scholarship that ranges from discoveries of new species to weather-related research.
Allen, who specializes in political philosophy and has written extensively on civil disobedience, animal ethics and democratic theory, has been a member of the ETSU faculty since 2006.
“This isn’t about nostalgia,” Allen said. “It’s about rethinking where we’re headed — and who we’re listening to along the way.”
East Tennessee State University was founded in 1911 with a singular mission: to improve the quality of life for people in the region and beyond. Through its world-class health sciences programs and interprofessional approach to health care education, ETSU is a highly respected leader in rural health research and practices. The university also boasts nationally ranked programs in the arts, technology, computing, and media studies. ETSU serves approximately 14,000 students each year and is ranked among the top 10 percent of colleges in the nation for students graduating with the least amount of debt.
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