 2004 Proutist Universal 1 Proutist Economic Development Psycho-economy Dr. Michael Towsey

Proutist Universal2 Why do people work? Anyone who does anything for anything other than profit, is either a bankrupt or a mad man. –Hon. McKinnon, Minister in the Australian government, WRONG!

Proutist Universal3 Why do people work? People have many motivations to work. Prout recognises physical, psychic and spiritual motivations in work. People‘s economy is designed to meet people’s physical needs. BUT when physical needs are met, people discover they have psychic and spiritual needs.

Proutist Universal4 Psychic & spiritual motivation People work very hard to satisfy their psychic and spiritual desires: –Desire to be best in world – atheletes, sportspersons –Desire to push limits of human capacity – mountain climber –Desire to help the sick – nurses, doctors –Desire to make the world a better place – relief team in Bosnia –Desire to hear the singing of angels – a musician –Desire to achieve personal best - everyone

Proutist Universal5 Psycho-economics Term invented by P.R. Sarkar. It refers to one of the four sub-disciplines of economics (the other three are people's economy, commercial economy and general economy) Psycho-economy includes the study of the management and utilisation of psychic and spiritual resources. The economics of managing psychic and spiritual resources. A different kind of economics – no limits to growth. Takes over when people‘s economy is functioning well. The glamour field of economics in the future.

Proutist Universal6 Fundamental principle No one likes to stand still or stagnate. Everyone wants to develop, grow, expand, explore. First grow physically, then intellectually, then spiritually – or simulataneously together. Everyone likes to feel that their circumstances are improving.

Proutist Universal7 Managing motivation A healthy economy will find each person‘s healthy motivation and feed it. A scientist might accept a bigger microscope to further his/her research needs instead of a cash pay rise. An engineer might accept a journey to an engineering marvel of the world instead of a cash pay rise. PRINCIPLE OF PSYCHO-ECONOMICS: - endeavour to direct incentive income towards investment in human, social, ethical and spiritual capital.

Proutist Universal8 The Venezuelan middle class Physical needs met. Psychic satisfaction more important. Cannot put the middle class on hold while fighting poverty. “The annals of human civilization say that the downfall of a particular government becomes inevitable if it goes against the collective interests of the middle-class people.” - P R Sarkar

Proutist Universal9 Tools of Social Analysis Three social-economic classes –Poor, Middle Class, Elite Three kinds of social power –People Power, Financial Power, Cultural Power

Proutist Universal10 Tools of Social Analysis poor middle class elite People Power Financial Power Cultural Power

Proutist Universal11 The power of the people poor middle class elite People Power Financial Power Cultural Power

Proutist Universal12 The power of money poor middle class elite People Power Financial Power Cultural Power

Proutist Universal13 The power of culture poor middle class elite People Power Financial Power Cultural Power

Proutist Universal14 The middle class The middle class are conscious of cultural identity, concerned to reproduce culture and capable of critiquing culture. All social struggles revolve around cultural change: - therefore the middle class is a critical factor in social struggle. In an advanced stage of social struggle, there is a sharp polarisation between those who want cultural change and those who oppose cultural change.

Proutist Universal15 Polarisation in Venezuela The Old Culture –Privilege –Exploitation The New Culture –Social equality –Cooperation

Proutist Universal16 Tools of Social Analysis poor middle class elite People Power Financial Power Cultural Power

Proutist Universal17 Social struggle in Venezuela poor middle class elite People Power Financial Power Cultural Power for changeagainst change

Proutist Universal18 The current strategy poor middle class elite People Power Financial Power Cultural Power for changeagainst change

Proutist Universal19 Additional strategy poor middle class elite People Power Financial Power Cultural Power for changeagainst change

Proutist Universal20 The Venezuelan middle class Middle class must also feel the benefits of the changes in Venezuela. Better if they feel part of the exciting developments. They can be the greatest critics of capitalism and the strongest opponents of exploitation. Should share in the benefits of increasing prosperity.

Proutist Universal21 The Venezuelan middle class Proposals: 1.involve middle class in social and economic planning; 2.free up middle class entrepreneurial activity – direct it into cooperatives and small business; 3.there is a battle for the collective mind – must get the positive message out; 4.counter propaganda in private media - produce grass roots media.