Gross economic inequality in China
In an issue of the Beijing Review in October 2014, an article contained findings of the Institute of Social Science Survey of Peking University in a report released in July that year: one percent of the Chinese population owned more than one-third of all wealth while the poorest 25 percent owned about one percent. This in a country run by the Communist Party of China. Whatever happened to equality (not a PROUT proposition)? Friedrich Engels, who co-authored The Communist Manifesto with Karl Marx, wrote in The Principles of Communism (1847): “…the abolition of private property…is rightly advanced by Communists as their main demand.” Capitalists embrace private property like a religion (so they are free to amass unlimited wealth) and are perpetuating inequality where they are entrenched; communists, at least those in China, copy capitalist practices to trade with the world (while maintaining political control) and are also perpetuating inequality, something that should be anathema to their creed. Equality is a dream, but extreme inequality is a nightmare. We should not aim for equality, but we should put a limit to how much wealth can be accumulated by individuals. This is the proposition of PROUT.**
Community pantry and the commons
The community pantry phenomenon in the Philippines is a manifestation of the bayanihan spirit of Filipinos. Globally, this is known as the commons. When communities take positive action to address common needs using their own resources–without depending on the government and markets–this may be called the triumph of the commons (as opposed to the tragedy of the commons).
While the community pantry initiative went viral and inspired other communities to replicate and follow suit, this was not the only manifestation of bayanihan during the pandemic: early in the pandemic, some people made masks and distributed them for free; volunteers of Ananda Marga Universal Relief Team continue to give regular mass feedings at least in some areas in Metro Manila, just to mention one group known to us; others bought PPE suits for our medical frontliners; and, of course, many others donated to these initiatives.
It has already been said that the community pantry initiative is an indictment of the government’s inability to provide for the needs of everyone during this once-in-a-lifetime (we hope) crisis. And it’s probably true. The pandemic should make us realize that the present system leaves a lot to be desired. The inner spirit of family has not yet been extended to the community, to the society as a whole. And when the commons spontaneously come up with a desperate measure during these desperate times, it should be welcomed rather than shunned.
However, an ideal society does not just spontaneously create itself. It comes after a lot of preparation and hard work. But it starts with the spirit of family projected to society.** Note: This section will appear here every month. If you want to read similar articles go to this link: https://www.facebook.com/PROUTManila/
