Economic (and Political) Model of Sikhs
Keywords:
Macroeconomics, Punjab, Sikhs, Guru Granth Sahib, Economy, Libertarian Capitalism, Austrian Economics, Marxism, Socialism, CollectivismAbstract
The Economic (and Political) Model of the Sikhs as enshrined in the Sikh scripture Guru Granth Sahib is Libertarian Capitalism. It is also in line with Sikh Ethos and History. ‘Liberty’ is in its name. Sikh economic model is anti-Socialism and anti-Marxism. Sikhs don’t want government involvement in the means of production, economy, or social security. Sikhs have their own community managed, private, non-Governmental, Social Security centered around the Gurdwara. Yet, Sikh’s economic (and political model) is being equated with Socialism and Marxism. Marxist mindset has extremely negative effect on Sikhs and Punjab. Punjab’s problems do not get solved. They get worse. Academia, bureaucrats, media, and the public ask for more government interference that made things bad in the first place. The result is a downward spiral. Libertarian Capitalism is a well-defined economic and political model that gives a macro-economic model for how to run the economy, education, healthcare, infrastructure etc. Sikh Gurus, Sikhs, and Punjab have a long history of persecution by the government of the time. Only Libertarian Capitalism with its respect for property rights, less government interference, and no coercion or repression is compatible with Sikh ethos of Halimi Raj as enshrined in Sikh scripture Guru Granth Sahib.
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