Questioner (Q): One of the main objectives of Economics is to figure out how to distribute resources in society. Could you please shed light on how this тАШdistribution questionтАЩ will shape a spiritual economy?
Acharya Prashant (AP): No, first of all, what do you call a resource? When you say, тАЬI want to distribute resources,тАЭ what do you mean by a resource? A resource is a sadhan and a sadhan is meaningful only when there is a sadhya. What is sadhya ? An objective, a target. So, when you say these are resources, what do you mean by resources? You are saying, you want to distribute resources but what exactly for? Do you even know what you are going to use those things for?
Distribution comes way later. You have five knives and you have five kids and you are saying that there must be equal distribution of resources. Are you distributing resources or misery? First of all, have you taught those kids what is worthy of having in life, what to use any resources for? Or do you just want to put knives or money in their hand? Without teaching a person what to do with the money if you just redistribute money, I am asking, are you distributing money or misery?
People are poor for several reasons; lack of opportunity is just one of the reasons. You can have that kind of mindset that I'll either print more money or I'll tax the rich and then I'll redistribute everything. And the underlying reasons that made those people poor are still very much there. And you have put money in their hands. Will the money last?
