What is Prout?
The Progressive Utilization Theory, or Prout, is an integrated socio-economic system that enables both people and planet to thrive. It is an alternative to corporate capitalism, the current dominant economic model. While capitalism is focused on the maximization of profits to benefit a few, Prout’s economy seeks to build wealth for everyone.
The Prout model offers an integral approach to social and economic development, including people-centered economics, environmental sustainability, and a new model of prosperity. Its goal is to raise the standard of living so that people can meet their basic needs as well as access resources and opportunities to satisfy their higher intellectual, artistic, and spiritual aspirations. The Prout economy encourages cooperation and strong ethical leadership, placing the vital needs of people and planet ahead of corporate and individual profit.
To achieve a thriving economy, Prout relies on the principles of maximum utilization and rational distribution.
Maximum utilization is the adequate and sustainable supply of products and services for human consumption by using the most cost-effective and efficient means possible. This includes the use of advanced, eco-friendly technologies for higher productivity in order to maintain a balance between human demand and healthy ecosystems. It also consists of coordinated local economic planning to avoid duplication and to maximize cooperation.
Rational distribution refers to the demand side of the economy. According to Prout, a healthy economy must provide employment for 100% of the working population so that they can acquire basic goods and services in the marketplace. These jobs must provide adequate wages and earnings in order to meet the changing needs of the population. Rational distribution also includes an incentive system to motivate and reward highly capable and industrious workers. Finally, for those with special needs who are less able to participate in the labor market, resources will be set aside to ensure that their needs are met.
Key Features
- Serves all three dimensions of human existence – physical, mental and spiritual – in a balanced and integrated way
- Expands the concept of humanism beyond a concern for human welfare to a concern for the welfare of all living beings (Neohumanism)
- Transcends the left-right political spectrum and acknowledges the positive contribution of many social and economic philosophies
- Supports a distributed network economy, where economic, social and cultural power lies in the hands of local people, rather than transnational corporations or nation-states
- Redefines the motives for economic activity by focusing on the provision of goods and services to meet the changing needs of all people
History
Prout was originally developed in 1959 by Prabhat Rainjan Sarkar, an Indian social thinker, activist and philosopher. During the height of the Cold War, when the clash between capitalism and communism was at its height throughout the world, Sarkar critiqued both of these economic systems as inherently flawed and incapable of creating a prosperous society for all. He then proposed a new socio-economic system to meet the all-round needs of both people and planet. The theory seeks to eliminate all forms of exploitation, whether social, economic, cultural, environmental, or religious. Sarkar also insisted that strong moral and spiritual leadership was necessary to build fair and equitable social institutions.
As Prout spread throughout the Indian society, opposition quickly mobilized from both capitalist and communist supporters. Proutists were often harassed and sometimes even faced violent backlash. Finally, the Indian Government, under Indira Gandhi, imprisoned Sarkar in 1971 for almost 6 ½ years, where he endured physical tortures and poisoning. After Gandhi’s government was voted out of power in 1977, Sarkar was absolved of all charges and released. Since his passing in 1990, Proutists have developed a global movement that continues to contest elections, protest exploitation, and develop Prout-based projects around the world.
Core Values
1. DEVELOPMENT IN THREE SPHERES
P. R. Sarkar, who formulated the Progressive Utilization Theory (Prout), wrote in 1985:
“All expressions in this universe are divided into three strata – physical, psychic and spiritual – and not a single stratum among them is unimportant or negligible. For the integrated development of this world, we want all three of these strata to be properly developed, and their speed to be accelerated.”
Prout’s economy is based upon this understanding of the universe—the idea that every object and entity is composed of these three strata or spheres, whether expressed or unexpressed. Human existence is also composed of three layers—our bodies, minds, and spirits. Satisfying the needs and longings of each one defines human life. In the physical stratum, we require proper and sufficient food, shelter, clothing, medical care, and other basic requirements. In the psychic or mental sphere, our minds need opportunity to expand and develop knowledge, creativity, emotional intelligence, intuition, and other higher faculties. Spiritually, we yearn for a deeper connection with ourselves and the universe and to achieve a lasting inner peace and happiness.
Any economy which caters primarily to only one or two of these strata results in unmet human needs and an imbalanced society. In our current material-oriented world, many people are not even able to meet their physical needs, let alone achieve mental and spiritual advancement. Through a coordinated development in all three strata—an integrated development—Prout aims to build a healthy, harmonious society capable of satisfying all human needs.
2. PROGRESS
Prout’s economy is based upon this understanding of the universe—the idea that every object and entity is composed of these three strata or spheres, whether expressed or unexpressed. Human existence is also composed of three layers—our bodies, minds, and spirits. Satisfying the needs and longings of each one defines human life. In the physical stratum, we require proper and sufficient food, shelter, clothing, medical care, and other basic requirements. In the psychic or mental sphere, our minds need opportunity to expand and develop knowledge, creativity, emotional intelligence, intuition, and other higher faculties. Spiritually, we yearn for a deeper connection with ourselves and the universe and to achieve a lasting inner peace and happiness.
Any economy which caters primarily to only one or two of these strata results in unmet human needs and an imbalanced society. In our current material-oriented world, many people are not even able to meet their physical needs, let alone achieve mental and spiritual advancement. Through a coordinated development in all three strata—an integrated development—Prout aims to build a healthy, harmonious society capable of satisfying all human needs.
3. NEO-HUMANISM
Neo-humanism, also known as “universal humanism”, is a worldview that extends the love for humanity to include all living beings. Following in the tradition of native peoples, the neo-humanist vision views all life as sacred and all beings as manifestations of one, integral whole. This vision fosters a relationship with the world based on universal love, respect, and concern for all beings. It is fundamentally spiritual in nature, because it acknowledges the inherent unity in all life and the spiritual essence at the core of all beings.
Neo-humanism clearly rejects all -isms and dogmas that divide people from one another and from nature. It provides analytical tools and consciousness-raising practices so that we can identify the sources of classism, racism, sexism, gender prejudice, religious intolerance, speciesism, and other forms of repression and exploitation in our society in order to eradicate them.
4. UNIVERSAL COMMONS
Prout’s neohumanist vision recognizes that all human beings are collectively the stewards of the earth and its resources. This is our universal birth right as well as our responsibility. Sarkar termed this concept our “cosmic inheritance.” These resources, these commons, belong to all, and hence society must develop policies and laws to protect these commons and to utilize them in a sustainable manner for the wellbeing of present and future generations.
“According to PROUT, human society is one and indivisible. Human society is just like a garland that is made of different types of flowers, woven together by one common thread. The overall beauty of the garland is dependent upon the beauty of each flower. Likewise, each strata of society must be equally strengthened if we are to maintain the unity and solidarity of society.”