Economics of Mahaveera

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

Page 99

Maltavira, Marx, KEYNES AND GANDHI
83
that the more you exercise restraint on your desires, the more you will get independence. Gandhi almost concurred with this. In the language of Marx, there is, on the one hand, the stateless society and, on the other hand, there is the maximum material development. The two, however, are so much mutually contradictory that they cannot exist together.
Keynes' principle of personal freedom in earning wealth is only a transient phenomenon. With such freedom, one does not know how many more bondages come along indirectly. Under the capitalistic system, there are apparently no restrictions on earning wealth but how many constraints and restrictions are imposed indirectly only those who are engaged in abductions and stealing know. Today so many methods of earning have developed that the question is how the wealth earned is to be shared. If one does not know how to distribute the shares, then the point of dependence becomes quite obvious, and freedom and dependence become matters of great concern.
Towards New Thoughts If we endeavour to understand the thought processes and nature of Mahavira, Gandhi, Marx and Keynes, we would be able to comprehend the systems given by them. Mahavira was not an economist in its limited sense. He was an ascetic who had renounced the world. As such, all economic principles emerge from the concept of renunciation. Gandhi also was devoted to spiritual attainment and took the medium of politics for his objectives. He did not apparently propound an economic theory or advocated an economic system. Marx and Keynes both were basically economists. To understand Economics, it would be necessary to understand both of them. But merely by understanding Economics, we cannot make the society good. Merely by increasing wealth, we cannot keep the society healthy and balanced. Without understanding Mahavira and Gandhi, if Marx and Keynes are accepted, the social system will not remain good. A comparative study of all these four-is imperative from the point of view of understanding Economics. This comparative study can open up new vistas of thinking for us.