 2004 Proutist Universal Proutist Economic Development Rational Distribution and Maximum Utilization Dada Maheshvarananda

Proutist Universal2 The Claims of Neoliberal Economists Economics is a value-free, objective science. Every country can achieve economic efficiency and success through free market trade. Countries should produce cheaply a few special goods for export. Countries should use foreign exchange to import whatever they need. It is a right to maximize one's wealth. Any tax or law that diminishes property rights would jeopardize the growth of society. Economics should not consider the question of fairness, or whether or not everyone receives a just salary.

Dada MaheshvaranandaProutist Universal3 The Question of Fairness In 2000, Citibank paid its director a salary with stock options of $151 million. Disney paid their CEO US$575 million. Apple Computers paid CEO Steve Jobs $872 million, 30,000 times what the average Apple employee is paid each year! In Venezuela, Lorenzo Mendoza and family, owner of Polar beverages, has a net worth of US$4.3 billion, Gustavo Cisneros and family, media baron, has US$4 billion. (Forbes magazine, The wealth of the world’s 200 richest people more than doubled during the last four years. Question: are you two times richer today than you were four years ago? Neoliberal economists say these figures, the difference between what the richest and poorest receive for their work, don’t matter if the economy is healthy and growing.

Dada MaheshvaranandaProutist Universal4 P.R. Sarkar, a contemporary of Sen, also focused on inequality, the measurement of poverty, and on how societies can make choices that are both fair and efficient. Dr. Amartya Sen of Calcutta won the 1998 Nobel Prize in Economics, because he had “restored an ethical dimension to the discussion of vital economic problems”.

Dada MaheshvaranandaProutist Universal5 A Logical and Moral Solution to this Economic Question Prout asserts that the only justification for granting higher income to a person is to motivate him or her to exert greater effort to benefit society. “The surplus wealth should be distributed among meritorious people according to the degree of their merit.” This surplus is used as an incentive to motivate people to render greater service to society. It can be given as increased salary or as other benefits. Continuous effort will be needed to raise the economic standard of the common people

Dada MaheshvaranandaProutist Universal6 The First Fundamental Principle of Prout “No individual should be allowed to accumulate any physical wealth without the clear permission or approval of the collective body.” Because the physical resources of this planet are limited, the hoarding or misuse of any resource would diminish opportunities for others. Ceilings must be placed on salaries, inherited wealth, property and land ownership. “Collective body” means society. Economic boards will have to decide the maximum income and wealth. Board members should be honest, with a sincere desire to serve for the welfare of everyone.

Dada MaheshvaranandaProutist Universal7 “There should be maximum utilization and rational distribution of all mundane, supramundane, and spiritual potentialities of the universe.” This means to make the best use of the world’s resources, including protecting the natural environment. Based on the idea of “Cosmic Inheritance”, to share the planet for the welfare of everyone, not just a few. The Second Fundamental Principle of Prout

Dada MaheshvaranandaProutist Universal8 “There should be maximum utilization of the physical, metaphysical and spiritual potentialities of the unit and collective bodies of human society.” This concerns human resources. It values both individual and collective well-being. Waste of human resources occurs when people lack education, or are denied opportunities to develop their talents. The Third Fundamental Principle of Prout

Dada MaheshvaranandaProutist Universal9 “There should be a proper adjustment amongst these physical, metaphysical, mundane, supramundane and spiritual utilizations.” Holistic development and equipose of both the human being and society. Where there are competing demands for any resource, the more rare and valuable quality should be utilized. The Fourth Fundamental Principle of Prout

Dada MaheshvaranandaProutist Universal10 “The methods of utilization should vary in accordance with the changes in time, space, and person, and the utilization should be of a progressive nature.” Change is constant. The application of Prout models is not set in stone - the principles though are time-enduring. Prout has dynamic principles that should be applied considering the many special conditions of the location and culture. Technology can both create and destroy. –the challenge is to choose wisely, directing research and development for the long-term welfare of humanity and the planet. The Fifth Fundamental Principle of Prout

Dada MaheshvaranandaProutist Universal11 Good and happiness of all The Progressive Utilisation Theory is propounded for the happiness and all-round welfare of all. PROUT