Economist Gandhi: The Roots and the Relevance of the Political Economy of the Mahatma examines Mahatma Gandhi through the lens of economics, business, capitalism, and political economy. Jaithirth Rao presents an unconventional interpretation of Gandhi, arguing that Gandhi was not simply opposed to business and capitalists, but developed distinctive ideas about markets, wealth, poverty, trusteeship, and economic responsibility.

The book also explores Gandhi's views on ethics, religion, human nature, education, society, and management, presenting him as an original thinker whose economic ideas remain relevant to contemporary discussions about business and capitalism.