PROUT
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PROUT or Progressive Utilization Theory is a socio-economical theory developed in 1959 by Indian philosopher Prabhat Rainjan Sarkar (1921-1990). PROUT is a philosophy that synthesizes the physical, mental and spiritual dimensions of human nature. It describes an alternative to capitalist and communist socio-economic paradigms.
Prout is not concerned solely with economics but encompasses the whole of human individual and collective existence - physical, educational, social, political, mental, cultural and spiritual - within the paradigm of integrated growth. The cardinal values of Prout are those of neo-humanism, which takes into consideration the good and happiness of all living beings; plants, animals and humans.
Five fundamental factors
Prout defines five factors that contribute in developing sustainable society. These core principles form the basis of PROUT.
- Ceiling on accumulation of physical wealth
- Maximum utilization and rational distribution of all potentialities of the world
- Maximum utilization of all individual and collective potentialities
- Proper adjustment between all utilizations
- Methods of utilization to vary with changes in time, place and person and be of progressive nature
Key principles
Basic necessities should be guaranteed to all, including food, shelter, clothing, education and health care. Sufficient purchasing power must also be guaranteed for all. Other key principles are economic democracy, moral leadership, individual freedom, cultural diversity, women's rights, world governance.
External links
- Proutist Universal (http://www.prout.org/)
- ProutWorld (http://www.proutworld.org/)