Some Basic Components of PROUT's Social Vision

The Progressive Utilization Theory (PROUT) offers a comprehensive and synthetic social vision. Some of its principle tenets are briefly summarized below.

Guiding Design Principles of Development

• Basic necessities. The basic necessities and common amenities of life must be guaranteed to all. This fundamental right must extend to the whole of humanity.
• Effective incentives. While maintaining social equity, incentives should be distributed to those who make meritorious contributions through their labor.
• Limited accumulation. There must be limits placed on the accumulation of wealth by individuals, limits which can only be exceeded by social permission.
• Rational distribution. The resources of the planet should be equitably distributed so that all human societies have proper capacity for development.
• Maximum utilization. Natural resources and human potentialities should be utilized without waste, and for purposes that promote the quality of life.
• Balanced development. Everyone should have opportunity and encouragement to develop, in a balanced way, their physical, mental and spiritual potentials.
• Social balance. The full development of individual potentialities requires a vital society, and the development of society's potentials requires vital individuals.
• Progressive adjustment. All aspects of social life should maintain dynamic equilibrium by undergoing proactive and progressive adjustments.

Social Principles

• Coordinated coorperation. Gender relations, workplace relations, and other relations, should be based on coordinated cooperation, not subordinated cooperation.
• Unity in diversity. Diversity is the law of nature; humanity must value its diversity and achieve unity by giving all people scope to participate fully in society.
• Cultural autonomy. All nations or groupings of people should be free to develop cultural expressions that are authentic, empowering, unifying, and uplifting.
• Universalism. No limited ism should be adopted as a basis for human unity; only the sentiment of universalism is suitable to unite the planetary humanity.

Economic Principles

• Regulated and planned market economy. While the role of markets is primary, there is need for market regulation and for the supportive role of economic planning.
• Socio-economic decentralization. The locus of control of social and economic development should be local communities and bioregions.
• Localized economic self-sufficiency. The bulk of the basic commodities should be produced regionally, and local enterprises controlled by local people.
• Economic planning. Economic planning should supplement markets to promote purchasing capacity, increase productivity, and meet collective necessity.

Political Principles

• Economic democracy. Economic security and the decentralization of economic power are required for the proper functioning of democratic government.
• Bioregional nations. Nation-states should be replaced with natural nations defined by factors that create common identity and cultural unity among people.
• Planetary federation. Increasing authority should be given to a world governing body to ensure human rights, protect the environment, maintain peace, and oversee the equitable distribution of resources.
• Existential rights. The existential rights of all forms of life should be recognized so that ecosystems can have ample diversity and vibrancy of life.
• Liberty. People should have full freedom of expression in mental and spiritual spheres of life, but be constrained from excess accumulation in the physical sphere.
• Cardinal social rights. All people should have fundamental right to education, expression of culture, use of their mother language, and spiritual practice.

PROUT in Action

For information about projects and organizations that are working to implement PROUT's social vision, refer to the following web sites: