[jagrmeister]

Gandhi's example is useful only in limited circumstances. I've heard contradictory things about whether or not Gandhi supported war in dire situations. Gandhi's leadership of India to independence through peaceful protest is praiseworthy. However, it's unfortunate that people today apply his example beyond its application. It unfortunately leads to unwarranted criticism of Gandhi.

[Cronos]

Jag, that's the correct phrase: useful only in limited circumstances

The non-violence movement was successful against the British because the Brits were civilised, gentlefolk not crazies like the Nazis or commies.

But, the nature of India's independence helped that country as, every other nation which had armed rebellion leading to it's independence had the armed forces staying and forming dictatorships while India has been a continuous democracy (a flawed one maybe but still a democracy with governments chosen by the people like here in the US) since it's independence.

Gandhism was useful in it's time and that's what our present day peaceniks need to realise.