Mahatma Gandhi strongly believed that any consumption in excess of genuine needs needs is theft. Any individual has only right to honorable livelihood, no better than that of other fellow countrymen. Gandhi himself lived simple and wore loin cloth only.  All wealth belongs to people. Trusteeship doctrine is the foundation of Gandhian socialism. By the very definition, trustee is not real owner but hold the property in trust for others. Gandhi considered that trusteeship is law of God to human society.

What is Trusteeship

It is necessary to know what trusteeship is and how this system is useful to the society. Legally, a trustee is one who holds property for others. For this Trust deed and its registration is necessary. There is body of law to govern the conduct of trustees. However, for Gandhi, trusteeship is the application of the law of God to human society and human institutions

A. Vague and unrealistic concept

The concept of Gandhian trusteeship looks bizarre. This is dependant on goodwill of the wealthy community. There is no legal compulsion for anyone  to  accept that he is mere trustee of the property and cash earned by him awfully.  Gandhian high sounding moral principles cannot replace the facts of  economic and social system.. Somebody may willingly give some part of his holdings in charity but he cannot be compelled to hold himself  as mere trustee of the assets earned by him either through his own efforts or inheritance. To say that one who spends more is a thief is also unrealistic. Nobody can be tried in court of law for mere  luxurious life style out of his own lawful money.  

The ‘Gandhian Trustee’ is very different than that understood in ordinary sense. There are trustees for minor children. They hold minor’s property in trust till the minor attains the age of majority. Likewise company directors are considered as trustee for shareholders’ wealth.

The concept is unjust

It is rightly alleged that the Gandhian concept of Trusteeship goes against the exploited working class. The Trusteeship doctrine cannot convince the workers that they are paid less not for personal gain of capitalist but for keeping the money in ‘trust’.   In all fairness, workers, creditors and others  should get their lawful dues. There is no justification to say that some part of their legitimate dues is ‘kept in trust.’

The concept is against market econmy

The Gandhian principle of Trusteeship goes also against market economy.  The economy determines prices of all services and commodities according to demand and supply mechanism. So, everyone including the entrepreneur and workers get their dues  as determined by market economy.  Thus, the capitalist has got what the market mechanism gave him. why should he consider that he holds any property in trust for others.  Moreover, he pays various taxes to government. The after tax income belongs to him and he may decide what part he will spend and what he will further invest in his business.

Fair economic activities and not Trusteeship needed

In fact, if everyone works in his own interest without breaking law and evading tax, he serves society.  Nobody can earn legitimately unless his activities serve social purpose.  An entrepreneur doesn't spend all his income. But he definitely does not save any part for keeping in trust for people.  This he does for future contingencies and investment. This is prudent business practice. This benefits society.  If  everyone works for his own benefit, society is benefited.  The trusteeship principle presupposes that the capitalist retains some part of wealth as trustee for others.   There is no justification for such retention. He must pay in full everyone his dues. In fact,  retaining others’ dues in name of  Trusteeship Gandhian style is theft.  Spending own legitimate case even luxuriously is not theft.

Opposed to material progress

Rather too much stress on simple living condemns the nation and people either to primitive type economy or unemployment.  More consumption also creates employment opportunities. There are many industries for luxury computer products with employment opportunities. The doctrine of Trusteeship, if taken seriously,  will guide the rich to live simple and hold the extra cash ‘in trust’.   So, the ‘trustees’   and ‘beneficiaries’ both live miserably.  The ‘trustees’ are miserable because they cannot spend more.  If they spend more, Gandhian doctrine considers them ‘thieves’.  The ‘beneficiaries’  also live miserably because there is less investment on consumer goods.

Conclusion     

The utopian doctrine of Trusteeship is helpful neither to ‘trustees’  nor  ‘beneficiaries’. So, it is best to give a decent burial to the very concept. Let all do their best, acquire and use talent for prosperity to all.