Daily Times

John Komlos, Professor Emeritus University of Munich, noted in 2016 that two hundred and fifty years after the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, the majority was still basically disconnected and unable to live fulfilled lives, while we the people are threatening the very planet on which we live, thereby jeopardizing our own existence. In such a situation, there was urgent need to rethink of approaches, ways and means to make a new beginning for a just economy and a decent society enabling opportunities to lead and share to promote self reliance, creativity, participation in the spirit of community development, an integrated multipurpose, all comprehensive meaningful development programs covering all aspects of national life in urban as well as rural sectors of the economy. We may call it sufficiency thinking that could result in uplift of living standard and bringing happiness to the people.

Our world is under pressure, with growing inequalities in wealth and access to food and clean water. Pollution and diminishing natural resources are sources of worry and increased the cost of living. Traditional cultural practices are being swamped by global popular culture.

Models of ‘sufficiency thinking’ aim to transform the mindset of a whole population to achieve the seemingly impossible: enriching everyone’s lives in a truly sustainable way. Innovative management practices developed by experts have been applied across developing countries in agriculture, business, education, government, and community development.

The term ‘sufficiency’ evokes a state of being that is applicable to individuals, families, organisations and nations, and tends to be most closely linked to a modern attitude in all material things. Moderation applies to all aspects of life. Sufficiency is moderation. If one is moderate in one’s desires, one will have less craving. If one has less craving, one will take less advantage of others. If all nations hold this concept without being extreme or insatiable in one’s desires, the world will be a happier and peaceful place. Being moderate does not mean to be too strictly frugal; luxury items are permissible, but one should not take advantage of others in the fulfillment of one’s desires. Moderation, in other words, living within one’s means should dictate all actions. Act in moderation; speak in moderation; that is, be moderate in all activities.

Sufficiency is a specific manifestation of moderation in action – the material state of sufficiency (what one possesses) is the result of the mental state of moderation (what one desires).

Any discussion on the sufficiency thinking and the sufficiency economy takes us to the areas of attitudes and behaviors and the socio-cultural setting. We need to change attitudes and behaviors for a way forward. But it is not so easy a task. The people in general, the civil servants, the parliaments, the judges and all others concerned with delivering justice and services have to be moderate in their thinking and action. They should be fully conscious that the decisions they make have consequences that could make and mar the lives of the people.

Full sufficiency is impossible. There is a good deal of interdependence required in the globalization era; we also have to conform to the world

Sufficiency economy involves outputs and outcomes. The sufficiency economy obviously embraces the sufficiency mindset and sufficiency action principles, but it is more than that. Here we talk of a set of national values, principles, systems, and institutions that provide the economic, environmental, social and cultural framework and conditions that allow and ensure that ‘sufficiency’ is within reach of all. The sufficiency economy is characterized by self-reliance, resilience, and immunity. Human resources ultimately determine the quality and quantity of delivery and that it means in the context of the future of the nation and its people and institutions.

To achieve the Sufficiency economy philosophy outcomes is challenging, because the required attitudes, decisions, and actions do not emerge in a vacuum, but rather occur in highly complex and often conflicting conditions. The array of internal and external influences can obscure or distort knowledge, particularly when making decisions.

At the personal level, influences include a person’s situation (for example, hierarchal status, peer relationships with others), age, personal goals, motivation, self-esteem, and health. At a group level, internal influences can include its group’s structure, norms, traditions, and culture. For an enterprise, internal influences include the business model, vision, strategy, work practices, and leader-relationships. External influences on individuals and groups include the availability of tangible and intangible resources, laws and rules, market conditions, local knowledge, and the prevailing culture and leadership.

Full sufficiency is impossible. There is a good deal of interdependence required in the globalization era; we also have to conform to the world. Self-reliance essentially means not to be overly dependent on others. Social scientists, Politicians, and Public Administrators have to make concerted efforts for increased cooperation for economic and social development as well as bilateral relations for world peace and prosperity. Rulers and Administrators have to learn and be able to produce outcomes for initiating healthy and happy relationships in the comity of nations. Diplomatic initiatives are needed to reduce tensions and to seek solutions to disputes and human rights violations in places like Kashmir and Palestine.

Smart rulers are needed to manage and guide internal and external relations. They have to be best educated and trained in Public Administration, Political Science and Social Sciences over and above what is happening the world today is seeking a role to serve the people everywhere, to know their problems and create an environment to help the poor and the needy. Where constitutions curb the powers of politicians through reforms or some emergency measures they still can rule and reign staying close to the people and their problems.

The writer is former Director, National Institute of Public Administration

Published in Daily Times, February 19^th 2019.