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

Economy of Permanence

of harnessing every man. Ultimately we have to solve the problem of food and clothing to everyone.

World Reactions: That is the only way of ensuring peace in the world. We have a tremendous hold over China, not because we are manufacturers of atom bombs, but because there are ties between this country and China created by Lord Buddha. That is the sort of culture that we want. We want to be a world power. If so we must start with this cultural value, and we must plan from the villages upwards. That is the only way of solving not only our own problems but those of the whole world. Those at the helm of affairs should forsake their 'self, and forsake their all. They must then put this plan into action for the people. That is the real contribution they can make to our country.

Government Opposition: Democratic government based on representatives requires an opposition to direct its working. The water in a river is kept to its course by the banks. If the banks are of rock it is best. If not the banks get eroded and the river silts and shifts its course. Hence there can be no competition between the banks and the water for the bed of the river.

Similarly the director and the directed cannot be competitors. There should be co-operation and not competition.

As the waters of a river are kept in their course best by its rocky banks, so also the Government of a country has to be directed by forces which lie outside the official sector of the Gov- ; ernment. Great Britain prides itself on possessing the 'Mother of Parliament'. The method prevailing there is to maintain, at Government cost, 'His Majesty's Opposition' to keep the ministers within bounds by directing the flood light of public criticism, on the steps taken or proposed to be taken by the Government. British Parliament is a veritable arena where many a mortal combat between political knights take place. The discomfited knight yields place to the victor. The occupants of the opposition benches today may be the proud occupants of the Treasury Benches tomorrow according to the fortunes of Parliamentary Debate. This is the function of the opposition in the British Parliamentary System. It is an outcome of the competitive economy projected into the political sphere.

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