INTERNAL ASSIGNMENT

NAME : AIRAl:I LATEEF

ROLL NO : 21/BAP/013

SUBJECT: POLITICAL SCIENCE

SEMESTER: VI

TOPIC : SUMMARY AND PERSPECTIVE

AFTER READING ''SMALL IS
BEAUTIFUL''.

SUBMITTED TO : DR. PRAVEEN

DHANDA
INTRODUCTION :

"Small is Beautiful : Economics if People Mattered" is a seminal work by economist E.F.

Schumacher that challenges the prevailing notion of economic growth at all costs. Originally
p·ublished in 1973, its message resonates deeply in today's world, where concerns about
sustainability, social equity and human well-being are more pressing than ever. In this thought-
provoking book, Schumacher argues for a shift towards a more humane and ecologically
sustainable approach to economics, advocating for the prioritization of people and
environment over narrow measures of material wealth. Through a blend of philosophical
reflection, economic analysis and practical examples, Schumacher articulates a vision of
economics that emphasizes the importance of human-scale development, decentralization and
the cultivation of values beyond mere consumption.
SU MMARY. I. Beautiful" challenges the convention,,aI
. ion·,, smal rs
•
d Schumacher argues that true
1) Introd u ct•10n to E•F• Schumacher's vas. e• oal. lnstea ,
•d f nomic growth as the ultimat g . uity and environmental sustainability
w1s om o eco II-being socIa 1eq .
• ·t·rze human we '
progress should pnon

. th ee parts. In the first, Schumacher outline

book is divided rnto r . s
2) Division of the book: The . . eluding the destruction of the environment
onomrc system, rn . . ,
the problems with the current ec h ond part, he offers alternatives, including th
. I from work. In t e sec . e
poverty, alienation of peop e . h sizes the use of appropriate technologies that
• t hnology which emp a
concept of intermediate ec h . porting technologies from industrialized
• I I nditions rather t an rm
are well suited to oca co ' 'd ractical examples of how these alternatives can
countries. The third part of the book provr es p
be put into practice.

••
3) Cr1t1que . its
of Modern Econom ics .• Schumacher critiques mainstream economics for
obsession with maximizing production and consumption which he sees as unsustainable and
detrimental to human flourishing. He points out that this fo-cus neglects the importance of
human values, social relationships and ecological balance.

4) The importance of human-scale: One of Schumacher's central argument is the importance

of 'appropriate technology' and 'human-scale development'. He advocates for technologies and
economic structures that are tailored to the needs and capacities of local communities.

nd
S) Decentralization a localization: Schumacher advocates for decentralization and
localization of economies arg • th "ted
' wng at smaller, community based enterprises are better sui
to meet the needs of people while . .
• preserving cultural diversity and ecological integrity.

8) Buddhist Economics: Drawn on Buddhi . . tive

st
economic framework f d . . prrnciples, Schumacher proposes an alterna
ocuse on suff1c1enc . . .
Y, simplicity and non-material values.

9) Education and Values . Schu h .

h.. • mac erh1gh1· h . ga
ol1st1c understanding of econ . . ig ts the importance of education in fostenn
om1es and in f 11" d
respect for nature. s I Ing values such as fragility, compassion an
 ~t j-J
a

to address
10) Environmental Sustainability : Schumacher stresses the urgent need
reckless exploitation of
environmental degrad ation and resolve deplet ion. He warns against
vation,
natural resources and advoca tes for policies that perpetuate equality, promote conser
renewable energy and sustain able agricul ture.

Briefly,

SECTION TOPICS
Moder n World Critique of modern economic systems,
emphasizing the importance of sustainability
and human-scale development
Sustainable use of resources, limitations of
Resources
growth economies, and the concept of
appropriate technology
Challenges faced by developing countries,
Third World
strategies for development, and the role of
appropriate technology
Alternatives to large-scale organizations and
Organization and Owner ship
centralized ownership, such as
decentralization and local autonomy
MY PERSPECTIVE :

1) After delving into "Small is Beautiful", I find myself reconsidering the fundamental
assumptions underlying the modern economic systems. Schumacher's critique of the
relentless pursuit of economic growth has left a lasting impression on me, challenging
the notion that progress is synonymous with ever-expanding production and
consumption.
2) His advocacy for sustainable development and human-scale economies resonates
deeply, urging us to prioritize the well-being of both people and the planet over short-
term gains. The concept of appropriate technology reminds me of the importance of
harnessing innovation in ways that are responsible and respectful of the environment.
3) Schumacher's exploration of alternative forms of organization and ownership has
prompted me to consider how we might reimagine our social and economic structures
to foster greater equity, resilience and.creativity.
4) aesides these insightful perspectives what I particularly found interesting was
Schumacher rejecting technology transfers to developing countries. My perspective
• , ,N

pertaining to this is that (enoug_~,fl~~~, (the idea around which Schumacher's worldview
revolves around) a_lthough may encourage a harmonious coexistence of human
demands and environmental constraints, I contend that it may oversimplify the intricate
workings of the world economy. I contend that the transfer of technology to developing
- nations may actually hasten their development and allow them to adopt more
environmentally friendly practices at a quicker pace.
5) In chapter 16, Schumacher argues that nobody enjoys having to obey directives from
superiors. He says that being subject to these restrictions, even if they are fair, doesn't
feel ~ight. Although it is true that big organizations can be challenging because they
frequently are inclined towards the side of order, which leaves less space for creative
expression. But I also think that every organization must strive to strike a balance
between the neatness of order and the chaos of creative freedom for which frequent
domination (that doesn't get too difficult to handle) can take place. "
6) Schumacher also discusses :<'-y:h~~f\1.otivation Principle" which states that actions are
motivated by reasons and that people behave in a way that is consistent with those
reasons. Big organizations, on the other hand, have managers who are naturally
mo~ivated ~ecause they are more closely involved in goal setting and decision-makin g,
which can give them a feeling of direction and purpose. It's odd that managers
frequently restrict their staff members' creative freedom while enjoying enough of it
themselves.
7
) While the book romanticizes small scale solutions, it fails to address the scalability
challenges that might come along.
REFERENCES : re d.
as if People Ma tte
74 ). Small is Be au tifu l: A study of Economics
• Schumacher, E.F. (19
/BA0430000X
https://ci.nii.ac.jp/ncid

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