Gandhi. A large scale civil disobedience was sparked by Mahatma Gandhi and this historical event illustrates how social psychology is a very powerful tool in influencing people. The persuasion techniques that Gandhi carried out throughout his times of leadership was able to provide millions of Indians the strength to change their attitudes and belief. A central route of persuasion, being persuaded by the arguments and contents of the message, was one of the main reasons why the people followed Gandhi. In the film, Gandhi asked the people to join his non-violence movement to protest against the new law that requires all Indians to be finger printed as if they are criminals. His argument that it is degrading and an inconvenience made people support his movement. However, people do not follow mainly because of this persuasion, it is also contributed by the peripheral route of persuasion. The peripheral route involves the attractiveness of the speaker as a contributing factor. The people put their trust on Gandhi because of the persuader credibility. Unlike Gandhi who had been given the opportunity of an education and a vast experience in the higher society and with foreign power, most Indians that follow Gandhi were illiterate and of the lower class. They do not possess the same level of political awareness and complex philosophy of life as Gandhi did. However, they believed in Gandhi in giving them a voice for them to stand up for their rights. Gandhi had extensive knowledge and trustworthiness and the people can see that he has no ulterior motives and have the best intentions of the Indians in his movements. Especially when Gandhi left his elite lifestyle to live with the people with simple means (wearing the dhoti, fasting), that people look at Gandhi with more respect as this aligns with the Law of Liking that governs the law how we are influenced and and how we influence with those who are similar to us.
A theme that comes to mind during this film is social responsibility. We are responsible to the community even if its just trough something as simple as an opinion or charity. Gandhi much like Nelson Mandela, understood the importance of social responsibility that everyone is together as a team. They both understood that war is a complicated and vicious process and through peaceful protests and strong will they could gain what they want through this non violent movements. This balance of wanting to create a change and fight for the civil rights while maintaining a peaceful agenda is important to prevent the blood spill of hundreds and thousands of lives.
To conclude, famous leaders such as Malcolm X, Nelson Mandela, Louis Riel and Mahatma Gandhi are a very important examples of how different leadership would result in different outcomes. It is also important to know how it continues to influence the people today, such that the recent Beyonce 's Super Bowl half time performance was influenced by the Black Panthers and Malcolm X with her political all black formation. In the end, people will want to follow those who strongly relate to them and it is important that today's leaders should exhibit a leadership that will benefit the society and the world.
Siti Nur Asyiqin
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