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Proutist Economics - Discourses on Economic Liberation - is a book of 410 pages firstly published in Kolkata India on 1992 by the philosopher and social reformer Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar aka Shrii Shrii Anandamurti (1921-1990). Contents PROUT, the "Progressive Utilization Theory" was conceptualised by the author in 1959. In this book for the first time all of P. R. Sarkar's published discourses on economics are compiled into one volume. The concepts expressed by the author on this book, are considered from some researchers to be an appropriate answer to "the need for a new paradigm" on the socio-economic sphere. The "psycho-philosophy" suggested by Sarkar in his speech "Minimum requirements and maximum amenities", given in Kolkata on October 13, 1989 and reported in the volume, seems to provide the theoretical support to prevent the exploitation in the context, considered by the author (in his speech "Capitalism in three spheres", given in Kolkata on 1981), as "the latest form of dangerous and all-devouring capitalist exploitation". The essential characteristic of Sarkar's unique vision expressed in the volume is that economics must liberate humanity from mundane problems so that all people will have increasing opportunities for intellectual and spiritual liberation. In the process, he sets out innovative ideas to help solve today's socio-economic problems. Chapters The discourses are arranged into six parts. In each part the talks are generally placed in chronological order: * Part 1: Key principles ::8 chapters (1 to 8) describing the essential principles for economic liberation as based on PROUT’s economic system. * Part 2: Economic progress - Beyond materialism ::4 chapters (9 to 12) providing a brief critique of capitalism and communism, the dominant materialist theories in the world today. * Part 3: Rural development for collective welfare ::7 chapters (13 to 19) explaining how rural development should be structured for collective welfare. It stresses the need for coordinated cooperation in agricultural production. * Part 4: Economic decentralization - Elevating the standard of local people ::5 chapters (20 to 24) sets out the conditions necessary to raise the standard of local people through economic decentralization. * Part 5: Multi-purpose development ::6 chapters (25 to 30) outlines some policies that can be immediately adopted to alleviate the suffering of downtrodden people. * Part 6: Case studies - Bengal and adjoining areas ::9 chapters (31 to 39) including a detailed discussion of some case studies from northeastern India, and provides practical examples of how to elevate the economic standard of the people living in this region.
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