After Capitalism: Prout's Vision for a New World (Paperback)

~ (Author) "The global capitalist system has changed much over the several hundred years since its inception, but it continues to be based on profit, selfishness and..." (more)
Key Phrases: social cycle, minimum necessities, coordinated cooperation, United States, Ananda Marga, Credit Union (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

After Capitalism: Prout’s Vision for a New World sheds light on the Progressive Utilization Theory, or Prout, a socio-economic model based on decentralized economic democracy, cooperative enterprise and the ethics of inclusion. Foreword by Noam Chomsky, with contributions by Frei Betto, Marcos Arruda, Johan Galtung, Leonardo Boff, Sohail Inayatullah, Ravi Batra, Mark Friedman.

The book asserts that capitalism contains the seeds of its own destruction, based as it is on greed, intense competition and the concentration of wealth in the hands of a few. In contrast, Prout provides a model of economic development grounded in universal values. It seeks to balance regional self-reliant economic development with ecological protection, and encourages creativity and innovation.

In his preface to the book, Noam Chomsky stated, "Alternative visions are crucial at this moment in history. Prout’s cooperative model of economic democracy, based on cardinal human values and sharing the resources of the planet for the welfare of everyone, deserves our serious consideration." Historian Howard Zinn, author of the best-selling A People’s History of the United States, wrote: "After Capitalism is refreshingly original. It is spiritual and utopian while remaining grounded in reality. Its analysis is intelligent and its vision inspiring."

About the Author

Dada Maheshvarananda is a highly respected monk, social service worker, social activist and organizer, and a teacher of meditation and yoga. Dada has worked with exceptional commitment in these capacities for over thirty years. He has served and benefited many people and communities throughout the world -- Southeast Asia, South Asia, South America and North America.

Dada Maheshvarananda has studied and continues to study the theory and application of the Progressive Utilization Theory (PROUT). Dada also studied under the guidance of founder of PROUT, the late Mr. Prabhat R. Sarkar. He has dedicated his life to not only conveying what PROUT is, but more so to serving "all living beings" through its application.

Mr. Maheshvarananda is affectionately referred to as Dada, which simply means "brother." His complete name is Acharya Maheshvarananda Avadhuta, a Sanskrit name. Acharya is a title meaning "spiritual teacher" and "one who teaches by example." The name Maheshvarananda signifies "one who experiences the bliss of the Lord." Avadhuta means "dedicated renunciate monk."

Product Details

• Paperback: 247 pages
• Publisher: Proutist Universal Publications (January 15, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1877762067
• ISBN-13: 978-1877762062
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #933,037 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Economics of Hope, June 29, 2003

By	brett sculthorp (Marshall, NC United States) - See all my reviews

After Capitalism is the best introduction to Proutist Economics available. It clearly explains Prout, a comprehensive theory on the building of a sustainable economy with principles founded on spirituality and the ethics of Neohumanism (a post-humanist philosophy which acknowledges the intrinsic value of all animate and inanimate beings). This book offers a critique of capitalism as being underpinned by a materialist worldview and fostering global socio-ecological malaise. The author posits that economics should facilitate spiritual growth but capitalism cannot do this. The author uses a breadth of multinational and multicultural examples to explain the global systemic crisis. This book also aims to inspire readers through a call to action. We are encouraged to "hope for a world system of a very different kind" by Noam Chomsky. The author suggests that the change we desire and hope for can be achieved by focusing on the vision of Prout and taking initial steps such as research, information dissemination, networking, community building, and protesting. After Capitalism is an enjoyable read which spans the depth of the Prout vision and communicates current global efforts to bring about socio-ecological justice. This book is a great source of hope.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wealth of Information and Ideas, October 18, 2003

By	"brahmaviira" (Portugal) - See all my reviews

The most important contribution of this book is that it presents an alternative to the free market economy we have taken for granted.

Especially after the fall of communism, most people have taken capitalism as the given order of life instead of seeing it for what it really is: An economic system that is dominant at a given point of time. 'After Capitalism' shows us that there are alternative ideas out there, and presents those ideas with force and power, backed up by support of some of the most powerful alternative thinkers of our age, such as Noam Chomsky, P.R. Sarkar and Johan Galtung.

Whether you are a staunch free market supporter or a member of the anti-globalisation movement, this book is important for any person who seriously wants to analyse the issues at hand.

If you are a free market supporter, you will find that 'the other' view is actually based on well founded facts and rational ideas, and not just on thoughtless rebellion without a proper ideology. If you do not understand people of different views, it is hard to argue with them!

If you are already critical to the current economic system, you will find here a wealth of information and theories to shape your thoughts and ideas and discover alternatives to the present system.

In either case, it is an important book that I strongly recommend that everyone interested in the current state of the world should read.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars After Capitalism: Prout's Vision for a New World, July 11, 2003

By	"turiiya" (Philippines) - See all my reviews

If you have any empathy for humanity, this is a must read, Great social leaders around the world are seeing the dynamic social structures of P. R. Sarkar. They are clearly laid out here. Dada Maheshvarananda concisely describes the future social dynamics that humanity will follow, in a neo-(new) humanistic atmosphere, that will follow the downfall of capitalism. Read it now. R. Bates author of " The Internal Being, Reincarnative and Intuitional Psychology"...