Aparigraha the Humane Solution

Author(s): Kamla Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

Page 25

CONSUMERISM-ANTI-HUMAN GOAL
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if they offer us salvation through science. On the other hand, 'welfare', 'well being', 'satisfaction', 'happiness' have lost their place in economics; though, they may still embellish literature and poetry, which do not offer much towards the livelihood in the modern sense.
The process by which wants are synthesised is a source of economic instability. Productive energies should serve the whole span of man's wants. This is a step towards greater social balance, as well as mental balance of the individual.
The concept of 'growth' in economics has become a kind of fetish. E. J. Mishan very rightly calls it ‘growthomania'. He also points out that there are certain other concepts that have misled society. Unfortunately, these are being used as if they are the most scientific ways of explaining economic well-being, whereas the truth is that neither do they explain well-being, nor do they relate themselves to economic well-being. They push society to a state of illusion, a form of ‘māyā (though restricted to the economic aspect only). One such concept is Index-economics, Mishan says we are far too preoccupied with Indexeconomics, - the state of our foreign reserves, export-performance, pricemovement and other economic movements - and their bearing on the health of the economy. The topmost issue of social-rationale of highly developed economies is nowhere on the agenda of those in authority. There is a need for a re-examination of the old economic presumptions about competition, about free trade, expanding markets and economic growth. He says, “my pessimism with economic growth has gone deeper with years'.
There is another hurdle which needs to be overcome at the level of policy-making, and also at the general awareness level that 'there is no choice'. This sense of lack of choice is again a myth, the reason for its acceptance is probably the lack of determination to give it a serious thought. Areas of Consumerism
There are some glaring examples of dissatisfaction -creating industries such as the fashion industry. Anyone who pauses to think