Small is Beautiful; a study of economics as if people mattered.
By E.F. Schumacher.
Ernst Schumacher was a British economist, Chief Economic Advisor to the National Coal Board for 20 years, and friends with John Maynard Keynes. He worked on a rural farm as an "enemy alien" to escape WWII. A Rhodes scholar at Oxford, and a graduate from Columbia University, -his other love was gardening.
Schumacher's book talks a lot about "Buddhist Economics", which is based on the belief that "GOOD WORKS" were needed by each individual for PROPER human development. He also stated that local resources should be produced for local needs to ensure the most RATIONAL way of economic life. (I'm a little confused about this part) This led to the pioneer of Appropriate Technology: ecological-friendly technology for the scale of communities (small scale).
Lots of key words to take note:
(1) Good Works- is a very subjective statement. He observed it from Buddhism (when working as an Economic advisor in Burma), but failed to address the intrinsic source of the motivation being derived from the belief in Karma, which is still stemmed from a selfish intent of future personal gains.
(Okay, simple English for my siblings, just in case they read my blog: Schumacher went to Myanmar to work and liked the idea of Buddhism because they did a lot of "good works" like giving $$$ to the poor. But he didn't think deeper and realize that the "good people" like monks and donors, were doing charity because they wanted to collect brownie points to go to heaven. Charity through donations and freeing animals which they ironically caught in the first place, are the dominant methods in Buddhism.)
This is a key point because the first assumption in Economics is that; all men have unlimited wants, but limited resources. And the second assumption being; all firms engage in profit-maximizing behavior. The flaw lies in the fact that people aren't really doing "good works" because they are purely altruistic. Their ultimate goal is still to benefit themselves!
(2) PROPER human development: no idea what that really means. Proper is a vague word- what is "proper"? Again, another subjective opinion because everybody has different definitions of PROPER, but will have to continue reading the book to find out ;)
(3) RATIONAL way of economic life: Quite clueless also. I think it's time to go leech onto my professors and force them to explain (even though they didn't write this book, and may have no idea too).
(yet to be argued) CONCLUSION:
Christianity is the only faith which encompasses the essence of giving out of Love from Jesus. You can't give what you don't have. You have to first receive God's love, before passing it on. Anything else you give which does not come from this source will only dwindle as you give it away... But this Love multiplies the more you give!!! Maybe this was the type of Economics Schumacher was referring to, but he just gave it the wrong name (Buddhist Economics). Giving without asking for anything in return = God's Love.
P.S. will write a proper article about this once I'm done doing my writing paper >:( and provide substantial arguments I promise!!! In the meantime, go to this site if you want to find out more,
The E.F. Schumacher Society. But don't blindly believe everything it says. Open your eyes and use your brains!
P.P.S. Ballet class was really hard today, and I didn't do well. I feel like crying :'( Am very tired and my hips, knees & ankles hurt...
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