Resources

Resources in English: Contents

ABOUT PROUT
1. “What is Prout?” Powerpoint by Dada Maheshvarananda
2. “The Progressive Utilization Theory (Prout)” article published in Working USA: Journal of Labor and Society by Dada Maheshvarananda and Mariah Branch
3. “Sadvipra Leadership” Powerpoint by Jody Wright (Acharya Devanistha)
4. “Tax in a Proutist Economy” by Michael Towsey
5. “Is Venezuela Heading Towards Prout?” by Andy Malinalco
6. “What makes co-ops successful?” by R.M. Baseman
7. “Block Level Planning” by Caetanya
8. “The Economy of the People’s Republic of China: The Socialist Syndicate” by Dr. Szu-chien Hsu
9. “Toward an optimal level of income inequality” by Mark Friedman
10. “The Sarkar Game: Creating the experience of social change” by Peter Hayward and Joseph Voros
11. “A Personal Remembrance and Conversation with Paulo Freire, Educator of the Oppressed” by Dada Maheshvarananda
12. “Prout Thought Exhibition Banners” by Samkalpa Spencer Bailey and Dharmamitra

ABOUT PRIV
1. “The Prout Research Institute of Venezuela Orientation Manual”
2. “Barlovento Co-op Survey” by Andy Malinalco, Dave Heighway and Mariah Branch
3. Map and directions how to get to the PRIV, in English or Spanish.

Resources in Spanish

1. “What is Prout?” by Dada Maheshvarananda

Download in Powerpoint

15-minute presentation made at the First Global Prout Convention in Venezuela, July 7-9, 2011.
1. The Economics of Prout
2. The Social Message of Prout
3. The Ecological and Spiritual Message of Prout
4. Some Prout Projects in Venezuela
5. Prout’s Message for Venezuela and for you

2. “The Progressive Utilization Theory (Prout): Alternative Economic and Social Model for the Welfare of All”

by Dada Maheshvarananda and Mariah Branch

Article published in Working USA: Journal of Labor and Society

Download in PDF

Introduction
Minimum Necessities
Physical Wealth
Proper Utilization of Natural and Human Resources
Economic Democracy
An Ecological and Spiritual Perspective
What Spirituality is Not: Dogmatism
Evaluating Social Policies with Prout
Conclusion

3. “Sadvipra Leadership” Powerpoint by Jody Wright (Acharya Devanistha)

Download pdf of Powerpoint presentation.

15-minute presentation made at the First Global Prout Convention in Venezuela, July 7-9, 2011.
1. Mediocre leaders
2. Excellent leaders (“Sadvipras”)
3. Qualities of excellent leaders
4. How Sadvipras lead society
5. Examples of excellent leaders

4. “Tax in a Proutist Economy”

by Michael Towsey
Download in pdf

Part 1: Taxation as public income
Part 2: A survey of taxes
Part 3: Practical issues

Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar has written little on the subject of taxation in a Proutist economy, and what there is, is better understood by reference to the existing literature. As can readily be imagined, the literature is vast and detailed, having evolved over many centuries. This article attempts to distil relevant principles guided partly by Sarkar’s comments and partly by common sense. The final conclusions are not concrete policy suggestions because too much depends on the time, place and circumstance in which a tax is levied. There is much to learn about taxation and the author hopes that this article offers Proutists a helpful introduction. The author also believes that the mode of argumentation required to discuss taxation policy can usefully be carried over to other areas of debate about Proutist economic policy.

5. “Is Venezuela Heading Towards Prout?”

by Andy Malinalco
download in doc

Today there are countless movements and struggles which are fighting for the creation of a more just, sustainable, and human society, guaranteeing safety and individual freedom. Of all these, many progressive people around the world see the Bolivarian Revolution in Venezuela as the one with the greatest possibility to transform social reality.

6. “What makes co-ops successful?”

by R.M. Baseman
download in doc

This report has looked at 175 proposed success factors from a number of different separate sources. By sifting through the various suggestions, answers and points of view, some clear conclusions develop.

7. “Block Level Planning”

by Caetanya
download in pdf

This 72-page manual is an excellent resource. It explains why Prout economic planning always must begin at the local level, from the grassroots up. There are so many differences in terms of geography, climate, natural resources, infrastructure, communities and other factors between places that it is not possible to create just one effective plan for an entire large or medium-sized country. The manual clearly shows how to study the actual problems that a particular community is suffering. Then it explains how to collect economic and social data from existing sources as well as through direct interviews, how to analyze the data, and finally how to formulate a workable development plan. In this way it is possible to offer very practical and realistic proposals that will actually benefit the lives of the people and strengthen the community as a whole.

8. “The Economy of the People’s Republic of China: The Socialist Syndicate”

by Dr. Szu-chien Hsu

Download in PDF

9. “Toward an optimal level of income inequality”

by Mark Friedman

Download Document

10. “The Sarkar Game: Creating the experience of social change”

by Peter Hayward and Joseph Voros

download document

The social change theory of P.R. Sarkar is introduced to students of the Australian Foresight Institute’s Masters in Strategic Foresight program through an action learning process. Includes game scripts and facilitator instructions.

Through action learning the student can come to appreciate the qualitative difference in understanding that can be obtained through taking an ‘integral’ or meta-perspective on social change processes. Such a perspective increases the efficacy and scope of all social interventions.

11. “A Personal Remembrance and Conversation with Paulo Freire, Educator of the Oppressed”

Download document
by Dada Maheshvarananda

An interview with the great Brazilian educator Paulo Freire, in his home, one month before he passed away in 1997, in which he discussed discourse and practice, ethics of the market, culture, oppression and education for liberation.

12. “Prout Thought Exhibition Banners”

by Samkalpa Spencer Bailey and Dharmamitra

See banners.

Go to ftp downloads.

Ten large banners with clear text, images and colorful designs that illustrate the following subjects: Introduction to Prout, Prout’s Economic Democracy, Prout Cooperatives, Prout and Ecology, Neohumanism, Spiritual Practices of Prout, Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar, Prout Research Institute, Centro Madre, and the Neohumanist Kindergarten. See the original Spanish banners here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

ABOUT PRIV

1. “The Prout Research Institute of Venezuela Orientation Manual”

by Mariah Branch, Dada Maheshvarananda, Brian Landever, Spencer Bailey
Download as PDF.
This 32-page orientation explains the work and living situation of the Prout Research Institute of Venezuela, and offers advice about life in Caracas, Venezuela.

CONTENTS: A. THE PRI-VEN INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
Introduction to the Institute, Benefits, Welcome by Dada Maheshvarananda, Facilities, What is the role of the volunteer intern?, Your Photo and Resume for the PRI-Ven Webpage, Venezuelan News, The 40-hour work week, Meetings, Working with locals, Learning Spanish.
B. LIFE AT QUINTA PROUT
Welcome – Norms and Rules of the House, General House Schedule, Conduct, Coming and Going, Sleeping Arrangements and Rooms, Yoga and Meditation, Cleaning Routine, The Office, Clothing, Cooking Routine, The Kitchen, The Garden, Bathrooms, Washing Clothes, Directions to Centro Madre (AMURT) in San Jose de Barlovento, Norms for Centro Madre, Possible areas of Interest and Assistance, Publicity, Academic Discourse, Additional Background Information.
C. LIFE IN CARACAS
Introduction to the City, Geography, Political Polarization, Passport, Changing Money, Cell Phone, Shopping, Exiting the Country, Health and Dental, Culture Shock, Working Together, Visa Renewal and Immigration, Transportation, Parks, Gardens and Excursions, Entertainment and Culture, Cafes, Bars and Restaurants, Recommended Reading, Check list for what to bring.

2. “Barlovento Co-op Survey”

by Andy Malinalco and Dave Heighway
download in doc

We created 80+ questions with the help of Professor Carlos José Molina Camacho of the Central Venezuela University to help us to determine how closely the Barlovento cooperatives resemble a “model” cooperative. Because there is no universally accepted criteria for this, (or any other cooperative questionnaire we could find) we designed questions to determine whether it meets the seven principles of the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA), whether it is financialy viable, how the members are chosen, their level of communication, the effectiveness of leadership and the supportive environment. In other words, does the co-op operate on “people before profits” principles, and is it able to survive financially? We are presently using this to interview 50 cooperatives to learn what problems and challenges they face and what they need.