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5 fundamental principles
11 social and socio-economic principles
Existence Leadership
Economic democracy Democracy
"State vs. private" Neo-humanism
10th social and 3rd socio-economic principle
of Prout
The surplus goods and services, after distributing
the minimum necessities, are to be given according to the social value
of the individual's production.
Purport: The surplus wealth, after meeting the minimum
necessities of the age, will have to be distributed among talented
people according to their merit. Motorcars instead of bicycles, for
example, should be provided to meritorious people in recognition of
their accomplishments to provide them with greater opportunities for
social service. ‘Serve according to your capacity and earn according
to your necessity' sound good to the ears, but will reap no harvest in
the hard soil of the world.
Ananda Sutram 1962
Copyright Ananda Marga
Publications 1999
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The tenth of the sixteen principles states: “The surplus goods and services, after distributing the minimum requirements, are to be given according to the social value of the individual’s production.” Note that it is social value rather than economic value. This principle provides a rational basis for material incentives. It is, of course, better for society if moral incentives and the desire for social service motivate people in their productive work. However the practical reality is that labor productivity is, to a large extent, proportional to material rewards.
The need is for a framework that controls such incentives and contains them within such bounds as will best serve the collective interest. The incentives should also be provided in the form of goods and services that can be further applied to social purposes, rather in the form of wealth that is likely to be hoarded. The provision of necessities to all, established by the previous principle, creates an income ‘floor’; this principle creates an income ‘dynamic’; the
12th (first fundamental) principle sets an income ceiling.
From New Aspects of Prout, by Jayanta Kumar
Proutist Universal Publications, Denmark 1987
Copyright The author 1999
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