 2004 Proutist Universal 1 Proutist Economic Development Economy, Community & Ecosystem Dr. Michael Towsey

Proutist Universal2 The integration of economics with community and ecosystem economy ecosystemcommunity

Dr. Michael TowseyProutist Universal3 ecosystem community economy The 'hierarchy' of economy, community and ecosystem

Dr. Michael TowseyProutist Universal4 Ecological balance Ecological order for the earth is something to be maintained both within and without. Balance must be maintained between the internal and external spheres. The internal sphere has to do with the mind, as a healthy (or unhealthy) mind affects the community in which it is placed. The external sphere is the animate and inanimate environment in which a person lives and in which they express their mind.

Dr. Michael TowseyProutist Universal5 Ecological equipoise Movement towards ecological equipoise is one of synthesis. Peace in the inner world & harmony in the external world. In all aspects of human life this subtle balance must be maintained for ecological balance. For ecology of mind see:

Dr. Michael TowseyProutist Universal6 A hierarchy of communities Global community – the Planet Continental, subcontinental community – South America Nation or State - Venezuela District - Miranda Local community - Guarenas

Dr. Michael TowseyProutist Universal7 What is a community? Community – (Latin) to give among each other. Sergio Luio: A group of people who do favours for one another. Bernard Lietaer: A group of people who exchange gifts. P.R.Sarkar: Samaj (Sanskrit) or socio-economic unit - A group of people moving together.

Dr. Michael TowseyProutist Universal8 Community in Modern Capitalism – Mental Imbalance British Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher: “There is no such thing as society – there are only individual men and women.“ Neoliberal Economist, Milton Friedman: The idea that business has a social responsibility is “fundamentally subversive“. Honorable Mr McKinnen, Australian Minister for Defence: “Anyone who does anything for anything other than profit is either a madman or a bankrupt.“

Dr. Michael TowseyProutist Universal9 What creates a community? Environmental factors –climate, soil, topography, river catchment –agriculture Social, cultural factors –common sentimental legacy (history), language, ethnic identity Economic factors –sufficient resources, administrative feasibility (small states not efficient) –existing level of development, capital accumulation –common economic struggle

Dr. Michael TowseyProutist Universal10 Prout’s samaj strategy Goal: To build economically healthy communities. Observation 1: ecology, community and economy must be in harmony. Observation 2: Poverty is caused by the bleeding of wealth from a community. Strategy: identify samajas or socio-economic units - natural communities that have the potential to become self-sufficient in their needs.

Dr. Michael TowseyProutist Universal11 The samaj concept - socio-economic unit Samaj:- A natural community that has the potential to be economically self-sufficient. Sarkar also calls the samaj a socio- economic unit. Many existing nation states are effective socio-economic units, but some are not: –Venezuela, Australia, Germany can be effective socio-economic units; –Some African nations have colonial boundaries that do not make ethno-linguistic sense; –Sarkar identified 44 socio-economic units in India. Each socio-economic unit must plan for its self-sufficiency.

Dr. Michael TowseyProutist Universal12 The block or local community Self-sufficiency comes from block level planning (bottum up). Each socio-economic unit is divided into blocks (local communities) based on environmental factors and population. –A block is the smallest unit of economic planning in Prout. –A block consists of approximately 100,000 people. In Australia, a block is equivalent to a shire – the lowest tier of government. Population: 75, ,000 people.

Dr. Michael TowseyProutist Universal13 Venezuela and Australia Venezuela Venezuela is one socio- economic unit Population: 25,000,000 (approx) Assuming 125,000 persons per block, Venezuela would contain 200 blocks Av 4410 sq km per block Australia Australia is one socio-economic unit Population 20,000,000 (approx) Assuming 100,000 persons per block, Australia would contain 200 blocks Av 75,000 sq km per block

Dr. Michael TowseyProutist Universal14 An economy is a living system homeostasis waste Skin, semi-permeable membrane 1. Structurally closed, energetically open 2. Internal stability despite fluctuating environment food

Dr. Michael TowseyProutist Universal15 An ecomomy is a living system LIVING CELL Internal homeostasis Semi-permeable membrane Regulated flow of inputs and outputs ECONOMY Manage economy to achieve constant supply of essential goods and services at stable prices Economy has a border, ie foreign exchange rules and trade rules Regulated flow of imports and exports

Dr. Michael TowseyProutist Universal16 A dynamic economy A developed economy should consist of 4 parts: –people's economy; –psycho-economy; –commercial economy; & –general economy. This quadri-dimension of the economy is a vast expansion on the contemporary conceptions of economic activity.

Dr. Michael TowseyProutist Universal17 Expand our understanding Most economists today understand only a little of the principles of general economy and something of commercial economy, but both of these parts are still in an undeveloped stage. People's economy and psycho-economy are totally overlooked by modern economists, and as such do not find a place in the present mode of economic thinking.