“It is not wealth that stands in the way of liberation but the
attachment to wealth; not the enjoyment of pleasurable things but the craving
for them.”
The book ‘Small is beautiful’ is a collaboration of essays and
speeches written over a number of years. The book is divided into four
sections, focusing initially on the shortcomings of modern world economics and
the irresponsible usage of resources, and later drawing ones attention towards
the solution that can help improve these current problems. The author, E. F.
Schumacher, has inarguably forced one’s intellect to direct towards facts that
actually require a minds thought. Written back in the 1970s, this book holds
relevant on its facts even today, like the errors of modern economics, the
problems in production or the irrational usage of resources. I collected
valuable insights from every chapter, based on facts and true examples, finding
the perfect balance of wittiness and philosophy.
The point the
author is trying to make is a very simple one. The way man is wasting natural
energy and merely producing is an act of irresponsibility and individualism.
The modern world needs to overcome the difficulties it is facing and strive
towards peace and permanence. Unfortunately, money has become the most
important value in today’s world, and it is assumed that everything has a
price. But what man is forgetting, that the non-material values, like justice,
harmony and health cannot be bought by money. They need to be inculcated in
one’s culture. The continuous chaos is produced by human societies by achieving
exponential economic growth, and quantifying success only based solely on the
increased income of the nation. The society merely forgets to consider the
environment is a source of ‘capital’ and not ‘income’.
Man is
wasting a large sum of its energy for mass production of items we do not even
need. The rich keep spending their resources to get richer, and that the poor
have no room left for growth and eventually emerge poorer. The author has
spoken of this in terms of two main problems in the society, mass unemployment
and mass migration to the urban city. The concept of intermediate technology
has been advocated. According to the author, neither the labor intensive nor
the capital intensive mechanization approach is ideal, but a balance between
the two is essential. Intermediate technology will be a solution to the
problems of mass unemployment, dual economy and mass migration seen in
developing countries.
Throwing
light on Gandhian principles and Buddhism, this book puts forth a new concept
called ‘Buddhist Economy’. Spiritual health and material usage need to be
balanced and go hand in hand. From a Buddhist point of view, it is not
consumption, but overall wellbeing through creative activity which should be
one’s value. Employment shouldn’t be considered necessary as a source of
income, when it is actually the source of purpose and livelihood. Non-violence
and simplicity go hand in hand. Modern man is measuring his standard of living
based on his annual consumption, while the Buddhist and Gandhian principles
consider this approach as irrational. The aim should be achieving the maximum
of well-being with the minimum of consumption.
I would highly recommend this
book, which through repetitive examples and solid facts truly conveys its
message loud and clear. It was an interesting read and there is a lot to imbibe
from this book. Man is small, and small indeed is beautiful!
Vinita Ved, NIRMAN 8
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