Progressive Theories, Their Purpose and Practicality

A theory is an exposition of the general principles that govern some aspect of life.  Hence, every theory must have a function.  Generally speaking, that function may be either explanatory or practical, though in fact any successful theory must necessarily be both. 
True knowledge is always both useful and usable information.

As PROUT is a socioeconomic theory, its purpose is to facilitate the happiness and welfare of all.  The Five Fundamental Principles of PROUT embody both the practical and theoretical essence of this theory.

In a nutshell, the theory is that an ideal society makes progressive utilization of everything.  Though the concept of progressive utilization sounds obvious, its implications require some amplification.  Hence, the theory is broken down into five fundamental principles.

Each of the principles enlarges on the preceding principles.  In other words, Principle 2 becomes practical only after applying Principle 1.  Principle 3 becomes practical only after applying Principles 1 and 2.  In this way, each successive principle not only adds insight into the theory of progressive utilization, but it also adds dimensions to the principles that precede it.

We may liken the practical aspects of PROUT to a lotus flower having five layers of petals.  The outermost layer corresponds to the first principle, and the innermost layer corresponds to the fifth principle.

The Five Fundamental Principles of PROUT are:

1. There should be no accumulation of wealth without the permission of society.

2. There should be maximum utilization and rational distribution of the crude, subtle, and causal resources.

3. There should be maximum utilization of the physical, mental, and spiritual potentialities of the individual and collective beings.

4. There should be a proper adjustment among the crude, subtle, and causal utilizations.

5. Utilizations vary in accordance with time, space, and form; the utilizations should be progressive. 

You can always find this blog via http://PROUT.Shows.it/ and comment below each post.  To discuss further in our forum and explore the subtleties of the Progressive Utilization Theory with others, go here: http://ProgressiveSustainMeetUp.has.it/

Political Democracy can and will be fortuitous when Economic Democracy is established.   Explore this and other articles covering alternative economics, ethical leadership, economic democracy, and a society without the weal and woe of social and economic vicissitudes HERE   How does PROUT compare or contrast with capitalism or communism?  Explore the answers HERE What are essential ingredients assuring progressive sustainability bereft of the vicissitudes of economic or political predation, privation or disparity?  Learn more HERE  http://gplus.to/ProgressiveSustainability

Spiritual Humanism

Spiritual Humanism

PROUT is founded on the assumption that matter is not separate from consciousness but is rather a metamorphosed form of it.  Similarly, consciousness, is not the result of mental activity but rather thought is also a form of consciousness.  It is Consciousness that underlies psycho-physical reality and provides the inspiration for a rational view of life, moral integrity, and spiritual wisdom.

Spirituality and morality should not be equated with religious dogma and faith in God.  All religions are frankly dualist systems that separate humans from their creator and the creation.  The rationalist rebels against theology - Descartes, Leibnitz, and Kant - also failed to escape the vicious circle of dualism.  To offer security, religion impressed upon people the need to submit before the imaginary will of God or a theological ethical code, sanctioned by the scriptures and defined by religious institutions.  Morality in this sense, however, is the absence of freedom.

A philosophy based on spiritual and moral values, on the other hand, is able to explain human existence - including desire, emotion, instincts, intuition, will and reason - as an integrated framework and do so in a way that is accessible to human comprehension.  Such a philosophy is required to build the new social organism and political institutions capable of fostering not only the harmonious relations of all races and cultural groups, but also the harmonious relation of human beings with all animate and inanimate objects.

Human existence is physical, mental and spiritual, with progress as an evolutionary continuum into higher consciousness and ultimately to the state of absolute freedom.   Simultaneously, spiritual progress can only be attained on a firm physical and mental base.  This physical and intellectual base has to be progressively adjusted to changing conditions of time and space.  The natural human aspiration is to achieve freedom in all three spheres.

In our march towards freedom we cannot neglect other living beings.  We have to develop a social system where all living beings can live securely, and where people can move towards emancipation by freeing their minds from superstition and dogma.  This universalistic spirit is NeoHumanism or Spiritual Humanism.  Human history thus far is a story of ruling classes trying to enhance their own social and material wealth at the cost of human values.  This is why temples, churches, scriptures, laws, constitutions, corporations and international trade agreements have become more important than human beings.  To confront this, PROUT maintains that a fundamental human philosophy is required to cement a new social system and not the changing social values based on self-interest embodied in contemporary ruling institutions.

Human values find their root in transpersonal essence, spirituality.  Spirituality is not mystic speculation of life after death, but is realized in relation to the manifest universe.  The philosophy of monism, which postulates the self to be in union with the rest of the universe and responsible for its well-being, is the essence of spiritual humanism.  Sarkar wrote in his book Neo-Humanism in a Nutshell:  Part 1:  “What does the state stand for, what is the use of these regulations, and what is the march of civilization for, if human beings don't get a chance to build a good physical well-being, to invigorate their intelligence with knowledge, and to broaden their hearts with love and compassion?   Instead of leading humanity to the goal of life, if the State stands in the way, then it cannot command loyalty, because humanity is superior to the State.”  

You can always find this blog via http://PROUT.Shows.it/ and comment below each post.  To discuss further in our forum and explore the subtleties of the Progressive Utilization Theory with others, go here: http://ProgressiveSustainMeetUp.has.it/

Political Democracy can and will be fortuitous when Economic Democracy is established.   Explore this and other articles covering alternative economics, ethical leadership, economic democracy, and a society without the weal and woe of social and economic vicissitudes HERE   How does PROUT compare or contrast with capitalism or communism?  Explore the answers HERE What are essential ingredients assuring progressive sustainability bereft of the vicissitudes of economic or political predation, privation or disparity?  Learn more HERE  http://gplus.to/ProgressiveSustainability

A Synopsis of PROUT

PROUT (an acronym for Progressive Utilization) is a socio-economic theory developed by Indian philosopher and social activist Prabhat Rainjan Sarkar in 1959, providing an alternative to both communism and capitalism.  PROUT rejects exploitation in all its forms and advocates economic democracy, based on the following guiding principles:

Minimum Essentials: The basic minimum essentials, such as, food, clothing, shelter, education and health, must be guaranteed to all members in the society as a fundamental constitutional right.  This means that it is the responsibility of a government and its economic system to provide job opportunities for all those who are capable of work.  These jobs must afford a purchasing capacity that secures the basic essentials to live in a given society.  PROUT supports welfare payments only for people with special needs or for those unable to work due to sickness or old age.

Purchasing Capacity: One of the most essential functions of the economic system is to continuously increase the purchasing capacity of every person in the economy.  Economic growth without increasing the purchasing capacity of a large section of the society is of no significance in PROUT’s economic system.

Inequality: People should be provided with opportunities to earn according to their talent and skills.  It is necessary to give higher incentives for more contribution to society.  However, highly unequal societies are detrimental for the social well-being of its people.  Therefore, inequality should be managed by maintaining a cap on wealth accumulation in proportion to the minimum earning capacity.  This is a dynamic ceiling that moves upward with the rise in minimum earnings and the fruits of economic progress are more widely distributed in PROUT's economic system.

Economic Democracy: PROUT’s conception of economic democracy strives for bestowing economic power to the people rather than capital owners or the state.  It envisages worker owned and managed co-operatives as the largest sector of the economy.  Nonetheless, PROUT accepts the role of private ownership of businesses, especially when they are small or simultaneously small and complex, and not involved in the essentialities of life of which should operate as cooperatives.  The role of state in managing key natural
resources is seen as desirable for the benefit of the wider economy.  However, local governments and local civic boards must be vested with as much power as possible for economic management of local resources and achieving both economic security and
full employment. 

Utilization and Distribution: The world’s resources should be utilized maximally for the benefit of the people and these resources should be justly distributed.  It is important to
note that maximum utilization does not mean indiscriminate exploitation of human and natural resources.  Utilization refers to proper use of sustainable and progressively scientific methods to serve the needs of society.

Types of Resources: PROUT recognizes all three types of resources, namely, physical, psychic and spiritual, and demands a balanced and well-adjusted utilization of all these resources for collective welfare.  For example, excessive focus on material development alone to the neglect of intellectual and spiritual needs of the people is considered detrimental for all-round welfare of the individual as well as the collective.

Progressive Utilization: The method of utilization is progressive.  It is dynamic and adjusts with changes in time, such as, the development of new scientific knowledge as well as changing social norms.


You can always find this blog via http://bit.ly/IntroducingPROUT and comment below each post.  

Political Democracy can and will be fortuitous when Economic Democracy is established.   Explore this and other articles covering alternative economics, ethical leadership, economic democracy, and a society without the weal and woe of social and economic vicissitudes HERE   How does PROUT compare or contrast with capitalism or communism?  Explore the answers HERE What are essential ingredients assuring progressive sustainability bereft of the vicissitudes of economic or political predation, privation or disparity?  Learn more HERE  http://gplus.to/ProgressiveSustainability