Economics of Mahaveera

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

Page 83

POVERTY AND UNEMPLOYMENT
67
The rich countries are giving aid to developing countries merely of 50 billion dollars. In other words, the total aid being given is of the equivalent of two lakh crore rupees. Now it is very easy to make a comparison of the two denominations: how small is the amount of aid and how large is the amount spent on defence. And much of this is taken back in the form of interest and repayments.
Economic Development and Crime
Man is an emotional creature. Within him the emotions of anger, vanity, greed and fear are simmering. Sometimes, feelings for the objective of eradicating poverty also emerge, but more dominant are the feelings of fear, passion, power and greed. The latter are so powerful that they suppress the feelings of generosity and compassion. And, if the feelings of kindness and compassion come up, they are toned down. It has been mentioned in the UNDP report that, in terms of economic prosperity, America ranks eighth among the 173 countries. But in respect of crime, rape, murder, abductions, etc., America is at the top. There are some nations where the rates of rape and murder are high. In Germany, there has been a overwhelming evidence of the cases of insanity. This then ironically is the position of developed countries.. 1
Focus Attention on Both Unless we establish a linkage with the inner or emotional conditons; the problems of poverty, unemployment and population cannot be solved. If we are guided only by the apparent and the general conditions, it would only be a one-sided point of view. Likewise, if we go only by internal factors, then also it would be one-sided point of view. In terms of anekanta, we should move by harmonising both the intrinsic and extrinsic world of man. The inner world has to be changed and the external world has also to be changed.
The socialist philosophy has done one great thing, that is, the experiment of dissociation of ownership of material means from the enjoyment of wealth. It was welcome and meaningful