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

Economy of Permanence
The composition of the cabinet itself reflects the structure of imperialism in
the economic field. Centralised industries need to gather the raw materials
from the four corners of the world and send back their finished products to
markets in the uttermost parts of the globe. This necessitates wide-spread use
of money and transport and control of political power. To achieve these Foreign
Affairs, Finance and Army, Navy and Air Force become essentials. Hence these
have secured coveted status in the British Cabinet.
Both competition and imperialism have their roots in violence.
Our country has taken up the reins of Government. If we desire to pursue non-
violence, what shall be the form of our Government? Our Government also will
need a corrective force to perform the functions of an Opposition'. But we want
an economy based on co-operation and not one on competition. The 'Opposition
members in our economy will not be looking forward to occupying the Treasury
Benches one day, should the fortunes of debate go against those in the saddle
at the time. Personal ambition can have no place in an economy of non-
violence and co-operation. What we should aim at is not to replace the
ministers, but to hold up models that they should follow. The constructive
workers should direct them into proper channels by the beacon light of their
example. This is a great responsibility that would devolve upon the constructive
workers in a non-violent economy.
A well organised body of constructive workers will be needed to provide this
directive force. Their service to the people will be their sanction and the merit
of their work will be their charter. The ministers will draw their inspiration
from such a body which will advise and guide the secular Government. To be
able to discharge this function the constructive workers forming such a body
will have to be drawn from men of renunciation, whose one aim and ambition is
the service of the people.
In such a political make-up the cabinet will handle portfolios that will be
essential to an economy of self-sufficiency. The major portfolios will be
Agriculture, Land, Development-Antierosion, reclamation, fertilisation,
Irrigation, River Controls, Forests, Village and Cottage Industries, Minerals and
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