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
13. “Economic Democracy Situating Women” by Mirra Price
14. “Rising Sun” Newsletter of Women Proutists in North America, July 2015 issue
15. “How to Organize a Conference on Economic Democracy” by the Steering Committee of the Madison, Wisconsin Economic Democracy Conference
16. “Economic Democracy in Latin America and the United States” by Dada Maheshvarananda
17. “Rising Sun” Newsletter of Women Proutists in North America, Jan 2014 issue
18. “Living Revolts and Revolutions Now” by Jaya Brekke, given at the Prout Convention, Denmark, July 2013.
19. “Cooperatives in Trento, Italy” by Didi Ananda Devapriya, given at the Prout Convention, Denmark, July 2013.
20. “Why do We Need Economic Democracy Now?” by the Prout Research Institute of Portugal, Nov. 2013.
21. “Successful Meetings” powerpoint by Thais Wilson of the Prout Research Institute of Venezuela.
22. “Rising Sun” Newsletter of Women Proutists in North America, Jan 2015 issue.

ABOUT PRIV
1. “The Prout Research Institute of Venezuela Orientation Manual” version July 2013
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.
4. “Challenges to Implementing Prout in Venezuela” by Spencer Bailey

ABOUT VENEZUELA
1. “THE BOLIVAR ARCHIVE: Politicizing the Past in Venezuela, 1962-2010” ” by Alexander Philip Bercovitch, thesis awarded the prestigious Hoopes Prize for outstanding scholarly research by Harvard University Department of History.

Resources in Spanish

1. “What is Prout?” by Dada Maheshvarananda

What is Prout?
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”

THE PROGRESSIVE UTILIZATION THEORY (PROUT) in WorkingUSA
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)

Concept of Leadership in ProutDownload 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”

Interview with Paulo Freire
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”

What is PROUT?

by Samkalpa Spencer Bailey and Dharmamitra

See banners and download high resolution versions.

 

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.

 

 

13. “Economic Democracy Situating Women”

18 pages plus footnotes.

by Mirra Price

Download article in pdf

Abstract:
With great documentation, the author shows the terrible impact that global capitalism is having on women. Often with less access to financial capital, women are among the most susceptible casualties of the current global economic crisis. Institutionalized sexism and and gender oppression are intertwined within the current power structure and woven tightly into the fabric of society. In fact, the systemic violence that keeps this unequal power structure in place is often so hidden that, especially in Western countries, it may go virtually unnoticed. 
 
In the second part, the author shows how in a true economic democracy, women will become empowered and will have more of a key role as significant participants. Three key initiatives—economic, educational and social empowerment for women—must be undertaken in order to assure that women are equal stakeholders in the establishment of a new economic system.
 
Here are a few of the Headings:
Exploitation of Women by Capitalism, Body Image, Beauty at Any Cost, Unpacking the Underlying Stereotypes, The Princess Culture, Economic Exploitation—Gender Wage Gap, Hitting the Glass Ceiling,Workplace Exploitation and Sexual Harassment, Breaking Free from Violence and Discrimination, 1. Everyone must be guaranteed the minimum requirements of life. 2. Everyone’s quality of life will gradually be enhanced in a local economy.3. Local people make the economic decisions that directly affect their lives. 4. Prevent outside control of local economies. Economic Empowerment: Examples of Women-owned Local Businesses, Educational Empowerment: Equal Access to Education, Social Empowerment: Consciousness Raising.
 

 

14. “Rising Sun” Newsletter of Women Proutists in North America, July 2015 issue

16 pages.

Rising SunDownload pdf of newsletter.
 
Online at: www.proutwomen.org
July 2015
Women Proutists of North America

Contents:
Elevating the Status of Agriculture by Nada Khader
President Jimmy Carter’s Clarion Call to Women: Who Will Lead Us? by Mirra Price
Cooperative Leadership: Do you treat people differently or the same? by Satya Tanner
Inspirational Kurd Women An Inspiring Example of Gender Equality in a Cooperative Economy by Dr. Fred E. Foldvary
Cooperatives in the New Economy by Howard Nemon
Women Proutist Profile: Didi Ananda Candrasekhara
Book Review: This Changes Everything by Naomi Klein
Excerpt from Principles for a Balanced Economy by Roar Bjonnes
Recipe Corner by Lina Laufer
Women Proutists Create Our Vision Story
Report: Building the New World Conference in Radford, Virginia by Liila Hass
Gender Equity in Education by Mirra Price and Dada Maheshvarananda
 

 

15. “How to Organize a Conference on Economic Democracy”

4 pages by the Steering Committee of the Madison, Wisconsin Economic Democracy Conference, published Jan. 2013. Download pdf.
 
CONTENTS:
Brief review of Madison conference
Steering committee and decision-making
Working teams
Web page
Finalizing the dates and finding the place
Deciding prices for participants
Budget and Fund-raising
Social media
Media
Program – choosing and inviting keynote speakers
Afternoon workshops and workshop tracks
Posters and flyers
Outreach
Networking
Marketing
Cultural program
Organizational tables/stands
Volunteers
Photographing, recording, filming the event
Action summit
Evaluation forms
For questions and advice contact
 

16. “Economic Democracy in Latin America and the United States” by Dada Maheshvarananda

Economic Democracy in Latin America and the United States
Download in Powerpoint

45-minute presentation made during university tour in United States, April, 2013.
1. My Story
2. Economic Democracy – why?
3. Economic Democracy in Latin America
4. Economic Democracy in the United States
5. Ecological & Spiritual Perspective
6. Conclusion
 
 

17. “Rising Sun” Newsletter of Women Proutists in North America, Jan 2014 issue

16 pages.

Rising SunDownload pdf of newsletter.
 
Online at: www.proutwomen.org
Contents:
Nomi Network Works to Help Human Trafficking Victims
Empowering Women Leaders
Principles for a Balanced Economy
Community-Driven Maternal Health Programs in Nigeria
Our Voices Rising
Women Proutist Profile: Jody Wright
Living Revolts and Revolution Now
Recipe Corner
Oregon Sister’s Retreat
My Summer at the Caracas Prout Research Institute
Illumination
Welfare or Earthshare: That is the Question

 

 

18. “Living Revolts and Revolutions Now” by Jaya Brekke, given at the Prout Convention, Denmark, July 2013

6 pages.
Living RevoltsDownload pdf.
 
A brief (six pages) overview of popular revolts during the past year, raising useful questions for activists working for socio-political change. Three different types of revolts are examined:
1) Anti-austerity demonstrations to extreme political and economic policies that are wiping out people’s social security across southern Europe. The author focuses on Greece, where she has spent considerable time studying the people’s anger and how politicians and the media have tried to defuse it by creating false national scandals and then passing draconian laws and sending in the police to “clean up the crisis”. She also briefly examines Slovenia and Bulgaria.
2) Demonstrations and clashes that are erupting in Turkey, Brazil and Chile, after a period of tremendous economic growth, due to dissatisfaction with the quality of development and the quality of life.
3) Revolutions across North Africa (Egypt, Libya, Syria) which began as popular uprisings but with more and more militarized factions, in some cases becoming civil wars.
She concludes by raising three questions:
1) What new social contract will replace the welfare state?
2) What does economic progress and quality of life mean today?
3) Will religion have a growing influence on politics, and what will be the consequences?
There are links to relevant articles about the revolts in Greece, Slovenia, Turkey and Brazil.
 

19. “Cooperatives in Trento, Italy” by Didi Ananda Devapriya

Cooperatives in Trento, Italy
Download in Powerpoint

30-minute presentation made at the Global Prout Convention in Denmark, July, 2013.
A study visit to the Trento, Italy Cooperatives
By Didi Ananda Devapriya

Through the Prometeus program
with information provided by Giulia Galera, of Euricse (European Research Institute on Cooperatives and Social Enterprise) and Elena Badeanschi, Federazione della Cooperazione

Over 1 million jobs in Italy are in cooperatives, yet they are mostly ignored in Europe.
The Reasons for Cooperative sucess
Trentino: one of European regions with highest density of coops
270,000- more than half of 500,000 residents are co-op members
2/3 of financial and agriculture industries
Selling 1/3 of groceries
Only grocery store in more than 200 villages
Employing 6000 people in worker and service coops
14% of Province’s GDP and 15% of all employment
90% of agricultural market share
Region with greatest variety of cooperatives
120 years of cooperative history
Federation of Cooperation has 2.6 billion euros in net assets
Familigia Cooperativa: network of consumer cooperatives
Finally ASAT (Associaton for the support of small agricultural producers) is the
name of the first Romanian CSA (community supported agriculture) network. Example: AMURTEL Poieni Farm

 

20. “Why do We Need Economic Democracy Now?”

5-page manifesto by the Prout Research Institute of Portugal, published Nov. 2013. Download pdf.
 
“What is happening in Europe is more than a debt crisis, it is also a crisis of inequality… As long as money controls politics, and remains concentrated in the hands of only a few, we cannot have real democracy. The only way to achieve real self-determination among people is by guaranteeing that the economic power can be distributed among the population… We are gathered in this Forum to share and explore other alternative options to the current economy, namely Economic Democracy.”
CONTENTS:
The real causes of the euro crisis
Economic democracy solutions
1. Let us attribute the debts to those who profit with the financial sector
2. Put a cap on wealth and income
3. Guarantee the minimum requirements of life
4. Three tiered economy

21. “Successful meetings”

powerpoint by Thais Wilson

Download in Powerpoint

1. Objetives of meetings
Inform
Coordinate/ Plan
Decision making
Follow up
Discussions
Brainstorming
Learning

2. Agendas for meetings
Opening
Ground rules, group agreements, introduction or comments about the facilitator role, introductions of participants
Agenda review & approval
Presentations and discussion of items according to the time each topic requires and according to the group’s energy
Breaks
Details of following meetings
Evaluations
Closing

3. Roles of participants in meetings:
Participants
Sponsor/Presenter
Agenda Planner
Notetaker
Stacker
Timekeeper
Doorkeeper
Vibeswatcher
Facilitator
1) Fosters Good Communication
2) Manages the meeting
3) Maintains a harmonious atmosphere

 
 

22. “Rising Sun” Newsletter of Women Proutists in North America, Jan 2015 issue

16 pages.

Rising SunDownload pdf of newsletter.
 
Online at: www.proutwomen.org
Contents:
“Feminism is Not a Dirty Word: Beyoncé and Malala” by Mirra Price
“Cooperative Leadership: The Problem with Being Promoted on Merit” by Satya Tanner
“Women of Color: Turning the Economic Corner” by Meizhu Lui
“The Silent Success of Cooperatives in Venezuela” by Dada Maheshvarananda
“Women Proutists’ Vision Story”
“Recipe Corner” by Liina Laufer
“Ashevill Mountain Moral Monday Speech” by Itiyopiya Ewart
“How Over Accumulation Impacts Other Aspects of Society” by Roar Bjonnes
“2014 Global Prout Convention”
“Women Proutist Profile: Nada Khader”
“She Rises” poem by Jyoti Wind
Book Review: “This Changes Everything” by Naomi Klein
“Highlights of Alanna Hartzok’s Progressive Political Campaign” by Mirra Price

 
 
ABOUT PRIV

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

Version July 2013 by Mariah Branch, Dada Maheshvarananda, Brian Landever, Spencer Bailey
The Prout Research Institute of Venezuela Orientation ManualDownload as PDF.
This 25-page orientation manual, updated and extensively revised in July 2013, explains the work and living situation of the Prout Research Institute of Venezuela, and offers practical advice about life in Caracas, Venezuela.

CONTENTS: A. THE PRIVEN INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
Welcome by Dada Maheshvarananda, Internship, Benefits, Our Mission, Vision and Values, Facilities, The Role of the Volunteer Intern, Orientation, Learning Prout, Your Photo and Resume for the PRIVEN Webpages, Venezuelan News, The 40-hour Work Week and Planning Meetings, Publicity, Academic Discourse, Learning Spanish.
B. LIFE AT QUINTA PROUT
Telephone Numbers, The House Routine, Conduct, Coming and Going, The Office, Clothing and Climate, The Kitchen, Bedrooms and Bathrooms, The Garden, Yoga, Meditation.
C. LIFE IN CARACAS
Introduction to Caracas, Venezuelan Politics, Culture Shock, Centro Madre, Directions to Centro Madre (AMURT) in Barlovento, Neohumanist Preschool, Working Together, Passport, Please contact us to plan bringing money, Cell Phone, Public Transportation, Shopping, Health and Dental Care, Visas, Immigration and Exiting Venezuela, Parks, Gardens and Excursions, Entertainment and Culture, Cafes, Bars and Restaurants, Recommended Reading, Checklist 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.

4. “Challenges to Implementing Prout in Venezuela”

by Spencer Bailey
Challenges to Implementing Prout in VenezuelaDownload as PDF. 4 pages.

What challenges do we face as an institute working to raise awareness about Prout and implement its ideas in Venezuelan society? What makes the realization of Prout’s vision for a new world so challenging?
1. CULTURAL CHARACTERISTICS
Historical Legacies
Nepotism, Bureaucracy and Corruption
The Modern Venezuelan
Machismo
2. POLITICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Political Sensitivity and Hostility
Staff Changes in Government Ministries
3. SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS
Oil
4. THE CRITICAL DISHARMONY
Consciousness

 
 
ABOUT VENEZUELA

1. “THE BOLIVAR ARCHIVE: Politicizing the Past in Venezuela, 1962-2010”

THE BOLIVAR ARCHIVE
Download document
by Alexander Philip Bercovitch

Thesis awarded the prestigious Hoopes Prize for outstanding scholarly research by Harvard University Department of History.
CONTENTS:
Introduction
I. The Betancourt Decree: State Formation in Unstable Times
II. The Caldera Decree: Punto Fijo Democracy’s Legitimacy Crisis
III. The Chávez Decree: Recuperating the People’s History
Conclusion
Bibliography