Economics of Mahaveera

Author(s): Mahapragna Acharya
Publisher: Adarsh Sahitya Sangh

Page 31

THE ECONOMIC CONCEPT OF DEVELOPMENT
A poor has never been liked, poverty has never been considered desirable, neither in the ancient times nor in the modern times. Everybody wants that nobody should remain poor; the society should not torture anybody. And yet this is a difficult task.
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The Objective of Economics
Modern Economics has espoused the theory that man's lure of self-interest needs to be enhanced. It has, therefore, become the the main objective of today's Economics that, as far as possible, the attitude of self-interest should be promoted. Development is measured by promotion of self-interest. Keynes strongly advocated this theory. I do not say that this theory has no validity. Personal motivation of personal self-interest stimulates more work from man than anything else. It is very clear to us that self-interest is a big inspiration. Accordingly, the theory which modern Economics has established is meaningful and attractive. Every person should enhance his self-interest as much as possible and earn as much wealth as he can.
The principles presented by communism are no less attractive. It promises that nobody will remain hungry, remain without a house, without clothing and without employment. Everybody's needs will be satisfied. This was and has remained an attractive dream of communism.
Tempting and Useful
In this context, let us analyse the philosophy of Mahavira. Mark two words: attractive and useful. An article may appear tempting but may not be useful; and another which is useful but may not be tempting. And yet another article could be tempting, attractive and useful. Everybody becomes rich inspired by the attitude of self-interest, so that wealth, when it grows, is attractive but not useful. In human beings, self-interest is even otherwise dominant, so much so that individual self-interest has created several problems in society. If attempts are made to accelerate this process, the result could be visualised by a look at the conditions of the present times.