s 1,2

prout.econ

Amassing Wealth Through Interest

March 1993

Q: In a capitalist economy, interest is used to transfer wealth to an elite minority. What is the Proutist view of interest used in this way in the economy?

In Prout there must be maximum utilization of potential resources for the benefit of the society at large. Now if wealth is accumulated in mass, in the hands of particular individuals, and denied to others, how can there be an equitable distribution? So when the economics of a country perpetuate amassing of wealth by selected individuals, they automatically create a disparity from which depravation and harm ensue. Therefore, no economic balance can be had in a capitalistic system. When money is amassed by wealthy persons, and then money is made by hoarding for one's own selfish motives at the expense of others who are less fortunate, then that amassing of wealth creates a disparity. It is good to have a responsible attitude for one's own family, but it is not good to amass wealth and then benefit from the amassed wealth. Through interest, this money which could be in the hands of simple people is amassed by very wealthy people so that they may gain revenues. The economy could support the needs of all individuals; the amassing of large sums of money is a primary obstacle to this equitable distribution.

So, in a Prout society, money will not be amassed so that one can profit from holding large amounts of money. Instead it will be equitably distributed. Those who work hard may have more; those who have more needs also can have more. But this amassing of money will not occur.

It is the desire of Parama Purus'a that every human being have scope to realize his or her fullest potentiality. It is the desire of Parama Purus'a that every person will have full scope for development in the physical, psychic and spiritual planes. Thus no one should go against this. If they do, if they live in such a way that they destroy the opportunities of others to grow and benefit spiritually, they in fact go against their human dharma. They begin to follow the path of avidya maya. They may give great speeches and promote worthy causes, but if they do not follow yama and niyama, if they hoard the wealth and do not care for the needs of suffering humanity, then all their piousness, all their tall talks will mean nothing.

Thus it can be said, (in Sanskrit) ". . . ." "Those who want liberation must lead a dharmic life."