What are the economic models of the various economies of the world like? What factors play a role in their success? Is social and environmental sustainability combined with economic success?
-Editor
The widely used Western economic model necessitates a careful examination of how it affects social pathology indicators and environmental parameters. Even though the majority of countries national wealth is increasing, economists and intellectuals must investigate why social pathology indicators such as happiness, peace, physical, mental, and social health, and environmental factors are declining over time, with health issues affecting almost all families and happiness and peace becoming a nightmare and wishful thinking. What are the possible causes, and how can they be effectively addressed to address the social indicators?
Life’s ultimate goal is to be happy and peaceful. Whatever we do, we do it to find joy and peace. However, the situation has deteriorated even in developed countries that claim to be wealthy in terms of GDP, GNP, Capacity to Pay, and Balance of Payments. The world is gradually realizing the old Hindu concept of economy, which focuses on both material and social indicators. During ancient times, it was a tried-and-true model. What factors make this model work?
There are four factors that are primarily focused on. The first is that Dharma (Righteousness) does not imply religion. Dharma and religion should not be mixed; Hinduness or Sanatan is a Dharma, not a religion.
Arth, the second factor of the Hindu method
The second factor is “Arth,” which means earning money through righteous means for one’s own and one’s family’s survival. “Arth” plays an important role in the economic strengthening of society and nation.
Kam, the third factor of the Hindu method
So, the third factor which supports earning money is “Kam,” which means ethical work. Work is primarily done to earn a living and improve society and the nation in various ways, including technological advancements.
The fourth factor of the Hindu method is Moksha
The fourth factor for which everyone strives is “Moksha,” which means happiness. However, only “Arth” and “Kam” are followed by the Western model out of these four factors. Materialistic aspects have been prioritized in the Western model, with disastrous consequences for individuals, social pathology indicators, and the environment.
The methods used to increase national wealth must be thoroughly studied to understand how it is improved by damaging social pathology indicators. The exponential increase in alcohol, tobacco, drug consumption, and chemically treated food, are some of the examples that are assisting in the growth of national wealth. However, how it is negatively impacting social pathology indicators and the environment must be addressed to redefine the economic model.
Every year, drug abuse causes immeasurable harm to public health and safety around the world, endangering the peaceful development and smooth functioning of many societies. Understanding the economic costs of drug abuse is required to develop policies that reduce these costs.
Even though it benefits the economy by increasing national wealth, the consequences of drug abuse in five primary domains—health, public safety, crime, productivity, and governance—require serious attention.
The devastating effects of alcoholism, smoking and other substance abuse on one’s physical, mental, and social status, and mental disorders such as anxiety, depression, suicidal tendencies, and crime are on the rise.
Youth are the backbone of any nation, and their energy must be channelized effectively and efficiently for the growth of the family, society, and nation; however, substance abuse has a negative impact on their mindset.
Know what is Hinduism at https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hinduism
Hindu Cosmology” and “Newtonian Cosmology
Hence, we must distinguish between “Hindu Cosmology” and “Newtonian Cosmology.” The Hindu concept of “All is One” states that society is a body and individuals in society are organs of it, and thus everyone must work together with strong bonds to gain happiness and for the welfare of each other, society, and the environment.
However, Western thought holds that “I am the center of the universe,” and that I must seek only my own happiness, even if it means exploiting others.
Other is like a market commodity. This ideology or thought process has harmed social indicators and the environment, and the price that everyone is paying is not only monetary but society’s consciousness has been weakened.
Shrour, a Japanese economist, proposed a new economic model called “New National Welfare or New Economic Welfare,” which clearly suggests deducting the cost of social and environmental indicators from national wealth to arrive at a realistic net national wealth.
The Hindu economic system believes in “समुत्कर्षनिःश्रेयसस्यैकमुग्रं” both materialistic and spiritual upliftment, the need of a time. It’s time to look deeper into the superficial and destructive aspects of the Western economic model; I’ll write more about this in the following chapters to gain more clarity.
Read more on Hinduism at https://journals-times.com/2022/06/14/in-the-17th-century-which-great-indian-king-reorganized-hinduism-for-all-religions-peace/
