THE IDEOLOGY
The Progressive Utilization Theory (PROUT)
The Five Fundamental Principles of PROUT
The Progressive Utilization Theory
Today there are two ideological theories which shape the world’s approach to economics and politics. Only a few nations still follow economic and political systems and policies which are based on Marxism, while most others have fashioned system based on capitalism. As what is becoming increasingly clear is that neither Marxism nor capitalism is satisfying the all-around needs of society, the time is right for the introduction of new socio-economic ideas which can fulfill the demands of humanity.
In 1959 in a series of lectures later published as Idea and Ideology, P.R. Sarkar, an Asian macrohistorian and social philosopher, first described an alternative political economy, a new socio-economic theory based on universal spiritual values which he called the Progressive Utilization Theory, known by the acronym PROUT. Just as capitalism and Marxism emerged in an era when physicist and philosophers held a materialistic and mechanistic outlook, PROUT emerging at a time when humanity is beginning to accept a holistic and spiritual view of life. This holistic and spiritual base helps to define a new view of economics, history and political leadership and offers the hope that humanity can find a way out of the present socio-economic crisis.
The Five Fundamental Principles of PROUT
The following five statements direct how resources should be distributed under PROUT. Together they comprise what is known as the Five Fundamental Principles of PROUT. A unique aspect of the PROUT is that it recognizes the physical, psychic and spiritual qualities of human beings as well as of natural resources,
- No individual should be allowed to accumulate any physical wealth without the clear permission or approval of the collective body (ceilings on the accumulation of physical wealth). This principle recognizes that the physical resources of this planet are limited; hence the hoarding or misuse of any resource would diminish opportunities for others. This principle is based on the concept of Cosmic Inheritance which asserts that human beings have the right to utilize and share, but not hoard or abuse, the resources that we have been endowed with by the Creator. This principle applies only to physical wealth, because intellectual knowledge and spiritual wisdom are unlimited. Hence, it strives to put ceilings on the accumulation of physical wealth.
Purport: The universe is the common property of all. All people have usufructuary rights, that is, the right of enjoyment, but no one has the right to misuse this common property. Those who gather much wealth and hoard it directly curtail the happiness and convenience of others in society. Their behavior is flagrantly anti-social. Therefore no one should be allowed to hoard wealth without the permission of society.
- There should be maximum utilization and rational distribution of all mundane, supramundane and spiritual potentialities of the universe (Maximum utilization and rational distribution of all the potentialities of the world). Maximum utilization means to make the best use of the planet’s resources, with maximum economic and mechanical efficiency while protecting the natural environment. It is the conviction of PROUT that everyone can experience a high quality of life if we use our resources wisely. Excessive wealth concentration causes deterioration and poor utilization of the earth’s resources.
Purport: The wealth and resources inherent in the crude, subtle and causal worlds should be developed for the welfare of all people. All resources hidden in the five fundamental factors – solid, liquid, luminous, aerial and ethereal – should be fully utilized and this endeavor will ensure the maximum development of the universe. People will have to earnestly explore land, sea and space to discover and manufacture the necessary resources. There should be rational distribution of the accumulated wealth of humanity. In other words, apart from meeting the indispensable minimum necessities of all, the necessities of meritorious people and those with special requirements must also be met.
- There should be maximum utilization of the physical, metaphysical and spiritual potentialities of the unit and collective bodies of human society (Maximum utilization of all individual and collective potentialities). This principle concerns the utilization of all human resources, emphasizing the value of both individual and collective well-being.
Purport: The collective body, collective mind and collective spirit must be developed. One must not forget that collective good lies in individuals and individual good lies in collectivity. Without providing for the comfort of the individual through proper food, light, air, accommodation and medical treatment, collective good can never be accomplished. So it is with the sole intention of doing collective good that one will have to devote oneself to individual good.
- There should be a proper adjustment amongst these physical, metaphysical, mundane, supramundane and spiritual utilizations (Proper adjustments between all utilizations.).
Purport: While promoting individual and collective welfare there should be proper adjustment amongst the physical, mental and spiritual and the crude, subtle and causal factors. For example, society has the responsibility of meeting the minimum necessities of every individual but if society arranges food and builds a house for everyone under the impetus of this responsibility, individual initiative becomes retarded. People will gradually become lethargic. Therefore society has to make such arrangements so that people, in exchange for their labor according to their capacity, can earn the money they require to purchase the minimum necessities. In order to raise the level of minimum necessities of people the best policy is to enhance their purchasing capacity.
The law of adjustment further stipulates that while taking services from a person who is physically, mentally and spiritually developed, society should follow a balanced policy of adjustment. If only one of these three capacities – physical, mental or spiritual – is developed in a person, society should take the one that is developed. If both physical and intellectual capacities are sufficiently developed in a person, society should adopt the policy of adjustment, which takes more intellectual service and less physical service, because intellectual power is comparatively subtle and rare. If all three capacities – physical, mental and spiritual – are found in one person, society should make greatest use of their spiritual service and least of their physical service.
- The method of utilization should vary in accordance with the changes in time, space and person, and the utilization should be of a progressive nature (Method of utilization to vary with time, place and person and be of progressive nature). This principle acknowledges that change is constant. The PROUT is no set in stone- rather it is a comprehensive set of dynamic principles that should be applied considering the many special conditions of the location and culture where they are into practice. The challenge is to choose wisely, directing research and development for the long-term welfare of humanity and the planet. PROUT welcomes new technology when it frees human minds and hands for higher pursuits.
Purport: The proper use of any object changes in accordance with the changes in time, place and person. Those who cannot understand this simple reality want to cling to the skeleton of the past and are consequently reflected by contemporary, living society. Sentiments based on narrow national outlook, regional outlook or caste pride etc., tend to keep people away from rudimental facts and original ideas. Those influenced by such sentiments cannot openly accept the simple truth. Consequently they are compelled to slink away to the back stage after having done indescribable damage to their country and fellow citizens.
Changes in the use of every object inevitably occur according to changes in time, place and person. After recognizing this fact people will have to progressively utilize every object and every idea. For example, scientific research must be applied so that a person, instead of wielding one huge hammer today, will be able to wield many hammers simultaneously, using the same strength. In other words, scientific research, guided by progressive ideas, should extract greater and greater service from the same human potential. It is not a sign of progress to use outdated scientific technology in an age of developed science.
Human beings will have to bravely face whatever large and small obstacles that may arise due to the use of various resources and materials created by progressive ideas and developed technology. Human beings have to march forward to victory on the path of all-round fulfillment in life.
The sentimental appeal of neo-humanism derives from the deepest recesses of the human personality, that vast reservoir of largely untapped spiritual inspiration. Contemporary society exhibits many sentiments, which fall short of neo-humanism. Sarkar has classified these sentiments into three categories – geo-sentiment, socio-sentiment and human sentiment. Geo-sentiment includes sentiments, which grow out of attachment for a particular country or area. Out of geo-sentiment many other sentiments may emerge, such as geo-patriotism – nationalism or provincialism – geo-economics and geo-religion. Geo-sentiment is the sentimental expression of materialistic philosophies and is designed to keep humanity confined within a limited portion of the world, something which is contrary to the fundamental human desire for expansion.
A slightly more magnanimous sentiment is socio-sentiment, which do not confine people to a particular territory. Rather, socio-sentiment is concerned with a particular group of people who may be distributed over a large area and is pervasive in that community. Instead of thinking about the welfare of a particular geographical area, people think about the well-being of a community, even to the exclusion of all other communities. Those imbibed with socio-sentiment often do not hesitate to militate against the interests of natural growth of other communities while furthering the interests of their own community. The international capitalist class, transnational companies and the international working class movement all foster socio-sentiments and also exploit geo-sentiments to further their objectives. The White Anglo-Saxon Protestant church, Islam and other transnational religions are based mainly on socio-sentiment.
A more subtle sentiment is human sentiment. Humanism involves identifying with the achievements and sufferings of the human race and implies a commitment to human happiness within the laws of nature. Humanistic ideas have found expression in many philosophies throughout the centuries and have always put great stress on the intrinsic value and worth of human life. However, the expression of humanism is mainly confined to the realm of ideas and not action, as it involves no practical application. While its highest form is internationalism, it excludes other living entities like plants and animals, and is limited to humanity on planet Earth, not beyond.
Neo-humanism is the most expansive human sentiment and embraces everything throughout the universe. According to Sarkar:
“All molecules, atoms, electrons, protons, positrons and neutrons are the veritable expressions of pure consciousness. Those who remember this reality, who keep this realization ever alive in their hearts, are said to have attained perfection in life … When the underlying spirit of humanism is extended to everything, animate and inanimate, in this universe – I have designated this as neo-humanism. This neo-humanism will elevate humanism to universalism, the cult of love for all created beings of this universe”
[ Home ] [ Articles ] [ Updates ] [ Contact Us] [ Links ] [ Gallery ]
