The Economy of Permanence: A Quest for a Social Order Based on Non-violence (स्थायी अर्थतन्त्र)

Economy of Permanence
In this second part we shall see how man should act as a group in production as
well as in distribution. Here there are three forms in which man may be said to
work as a group. (1) In production he works individually, though in certain
processes he may have to combine with others similarly placed. This part of
man's work along with his neighbours, considers not only his interest, but also
theirs and in the long run his larger interests. (2) Then man works jointly, in a
group of similar interests, this we call co-operative effort, which is the second
type of work in gregation. (3) Then comes the third type where the short range
work having been assigned to individuals and co-operative bodies, the purely
long range work is taken up by a body of selfless individuals who perform their
duties purely with a view to benefit society at large. Such a group we call the
State. At the present time it is difficult to point out anywhere in the world
where the State is composed of the type of individuals who would be qualified
to undertake this responsibility. The present forms of States are largely failing
in their duty towards the common man.
We shall first take up planning for the group, then we shall consider how
economic activity is carried on by individuals in conjunction with their fellow-
being. Then we shall look at the various functions that can be done by co-
operative effort, and finally we shall study how the State can work and what
the State can do to accomplish the ends for which the people are striving. In all
of these we have to keep before us the various principles we have studied in
the first part, as these will also govern the actions of men when they act in
gregation.
The scheme put forward in part I and part II, if worked out thoroughly, ought to
lead us ultimately to social order based on non-violence which should provide
the people with plenty as far as their primary needs are concerned and would
bring about peace amongst nations.
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