While
trying to fight against any sort of exploitation, first we must have a
clear understanding of the nature of the exploitation. Today human
society is subjected to ruthless exploitation by capitalists. Capitalist
exploitation has brought humanity to the brink of disaster by spreading
its exploitative tentacles into every aspect of human life.
According to PROUT, capitalist exploitation is perpetuated in three
spheres – the physical sphere, which we are well aware of, and the
intellectual and spiritual spheres. Each of these types of capitalist
exploitation is equally dangerous.
To solve the problem of capitalist exploitation in the physical
sphere, we will have to ensure that the movement of money does not
become restricted or immobile in the hands of a few capitalists. The
present economic system should be thoroughly transformed, and a
comprehensive and completely new economic system should be built in its
place. In this new system money will not be restricted or immobile in
the hands of a few capitalists. The more the optimum mobility of money
is kept unrestricted, the more it will strengthen and invigorate the
socio-economic life of the collective body.
Intellectual Capitalism
In
the psychic sphere there is a noticeable lack of motivation and effort
on the part of intelligent and educated people at present to properly
utilize their acquired knowledge for the collective welfare. This is the
psychology of an apathetic and elitist class who do not like to move
from their privileged position to work for the welfare of the common
people. This psychology gives rise to a special type of intellectual
capitalism.
Intellectual capitalism causes several pressing problems in society.
First, the literacy skills of a large part of the population are not
developed. Secondly, the socio-economic consciousness of the indigenous
people is not encouraged. Thirdly, unhealthy inferiority complexes and
fear complexes influence the minds of the people so that they are kept
psychically weak. Fourthly, the intellectual and moral development of
human beings is hindered, so intellectual backwardness and irrationality
become rampant in society. Finally, narrow sentiments like
geo-sentiment and socio-sentiment start exerting a destructive influence
on society. Consequently, intellectual exploitation, dogmatic theories
and doctrines, and religious superstition and rituals become widespread.
Intellectual inertia has assumed dangerous proportions. Taking
advantage of this intellectual stagnancy, rapacious capitalists
deviously spread a subtle web of exploitation and suck the vitality of
society. Through this process capitalists are able to perpetuate their
insidious rule of exploitation.
People have been loudly protesting against capitalism for a long
time, and on numerous occasions have launched agitations against
capitalist exploitation. Remaining vigilant about people’s
dissatisfaction with the capitalist system, capitalists have continually
changed their methods of exploitation. For instance, they have bought
off disgruntled intellectuals and used them as tools of exploitation in
their economic schemes.
Capitalism has always adapted to changing circumstances. Thus we see
that in different periods there have been different forms of capitalist
exploitation such as feudalism, laissez-faire capitalism, imperialism,
colonialism, neo-colonialism, mixed economy, multinational corporations,
etc. Today even communism, which was once a deadly weapon against
capitalist exploitation, has become a blunt and obsolete tool.
Psycho-economic exploitation is the latest form of dangerous and
all-devouring capitalist exploitation. It is a special type of
exploitation which first weakens and paralyses people psychologically in
various ways, and then exploits them economically. Some of the methods
of psycho-economic exploitation include, first, the suppression of the
indigenous language and culture of local people; secondly, the extensive
propagation of pseudo-culture, exemplified by pornographic literature
which debases people’s mind and particularly undermines the vitality of
the youth; thirdly, the imposition of numerous restrictions on women,
forcing them to be economically dependent on men; fourthly, an
unpsychological education system with frequent political interference by
vested interests; fifthly, the negation of dharma in the name of
secularism; sixthly, the balkanization of society into numerous castes
and groups; seventhly, the damaging of society by the use of unnatural
and harmful methods of birth control; and eighthly, placing the control
of different mass media, such as newspapers, radio and television, in
the hands of capitalists. Both intellectual exploitation and
psycho-economic exploitation are great dangers to the human race today.
To counteract this threat, powerful popular sentiments will have to
be generated immediately for the liberation of intellect. For this, the
first requisite factor is that intellectuals must keep their intellects
pure and unblemished. Casting aside all their inertia and prejudices,
intellectuals will have to mix with the common people and engage
themselves in their welfare. They will have to assist the common people
in their development and extend their support to all anti-exploitation
movements. This approach will help to root out exploitation, stabilize
the structure of society and expand the intellectual standard of the
common people. Human society will move forward to a brilliant future
with rapid steps.
Spiritual Capitalism
Besides
the physical and intellectual spheres, capitalism also exists in the
spiritual realm. Some people neglect their family and society and go to
caves in the mountains and perform arduous penance to fulfil their
longing for spiritual emancipation. Because of their selfishness, they
keep spiritual knowledge to themselves and do not bother to arouse
spiritual awareness in individual and collective life. This is
capitalism in the spiritual sphere. It is ultravires to the very spirit
of spiritual practices, which is:
Átma mokśárthaḿ jagaddhitáya ca
[Self-realization and service to humanity.]
To
a spiritualist, everything – right from the Creator down to a small
blade of grass – is the manifestation of Supreme Consciousness. The
state of equanimity is one of the main characteristics of spirituality.
Without attaining this quality, one cannot establish oneselves in the
supreme state, and one’s movement towards Supreme Consciousness will be
hindered at every step. In ancient times many people found themselves in
this tragic predicament.
Genuine spiritual practice is the birthright of all people. In all
spheres of collective life – economic, political, social, etc. – a
scientific and rational outlook is essential. The inculcation of
cardinal human values is an urgent necessity. This is the demand of the
age. Because such higher values are lacking in social life, there are
many incongruities and confusions in society.
Today there is an urgent need for an all-round spiritual revolution
in individual and collective life under the leadership of a group of
accomplished and idealistic leaders. These leaders should be endowed
with spiritual power, and their ideology should be based on the solid
rock of spirituality. Such highly qualified leaders are called
sadvipras. They will ensure social progress in all countries in all
ages.
All genuine spiritualists will have to adjust with the level of the
dusty earth inspired by the spontaneous love of their hearts. They will
have to share the wealth of their developed intellects with others to
lighten the sorrows and sufferings of humanity. Through their guidance
and leadership, human thinking will take a new turn and move along an
entirely new path. The latent spiritual power in human beings will be
awakened. Through their effort and inspiration, the new people of a new
generation will be armed with a bold new optimism and vision of the
future, and march forward triumphantly.
1981, Calcutta
A Few Problems Solved Part 9