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

Economy of Permanence
to go through life a cripple. Such is the service rendered to society by the
manufacturers of today.
In our country we have a whole range and variety of methods of daily life that
afford the creative faculty many rich combinations; among the different climes
and Provinces. Even in a single Province there is variety among the
communities. Thus we have a very wide field for the development and
expression of our personality if we do not fall to the wiles of business houses.
Fortunately here also, but for the cities and towns, the life in the villages
remains mostly unaffected, although rapid strides are being made in the wrong
direction even in remote parts, still the situation is not beyond redemption.
This death dealing contagion calls for immediate measures.
Instead of the House of Creations being a source of strength, the topsy turvy
order, in which the manufacturer plays the central role, has made it the
weakest link of the chain, as the consumer, who forms the bulk of the
population, is mercilessly suppressed and his creative faculty is buried under
the debris of modern factories. This method of living does not bring into ex-
istence works of art but just produces transient and flimsy transfer pictures
which any child can paste in his school books.
The consumer has no voice in calling for his goods. His side of the transaction is
misnamed by learned 'Economists' as the Demand. He makes no demand. He
meekly takes what is presented to him. The cart is put before the horse. Shoes
may be prepared in Northampton, England, by the workers who never have any
contact with the consumer in India or some other remote corner of the earth.
Instead of shoes being made to fit the consumers' feet, the consumer has to go
to a shop and fit his foot into a ready-made shoe of the nearest shape
available. If sufficient customers' feet are not available in the market under the
influence of the markets, then, some country, like Abyssinia, where 'natives' go
barefooted, has to be brought under political control and 'civilized' so that the
people may be taught to wear western types of footwear. This chase of the
pre-existent supply for a demand is one of the most fruitful sources of modern
conflicts and wars. The unnatural creation of a demand generates violence and
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