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ECONOMICS OF MAHAVIRA
It could have an immediate utility but it might not have use for all times. We give more attention to immediate utility and not longterm benefit. All economists have given more attention to immediate benefits. It is likely that an article of consumption which is not useful today could be useful later. Let us not, therefore, overlook the long-term benefits and accordingly evaluate the usefulness of the product.
War Is for Wealth In ancient times, there were three causes of wars: wealth, women and land. Today the conditions have changed. The wars are fought in the present times for money and for trade. If we do not put a restraint on today's economics, then we will never be able to achieve peace. When did we talk so much about peace as we are doing today? Everywhere the voices are heard, but the efforts needed for it are not being made. For accomplishing tlie result in favour of peace, limitation of production and of imports and exports will have to be ensured. The production of commodities which are debasing the country will have to be stopped. I am unable to understand why such commodities are being produced at all. But it is undoubtedly a reality that these are being produced. Without stopping these, peace cannot be established as without stopping undesirable activities, the good work cannot be carried
out.
Three Questions
There are three questions confronting us:
• • •
is peace desirable or not? Is freedom dear or not? Do we want purity of life and happiness or not?
Nobody would say that all the three are not needed by us. If these are required, the means to attain them will have to be mobilised. Devoid of self-restraint, peace will not be gained. For purity of life, the means will have to be refined. If happiness is the objective,
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