74.1 Ideal Country
Question:
What are some of the
characteristics of an ideal country?
Answer:
An
ideal country is one that has an unfailing yield, competent
Citizenry, and discerning people with
wealth. (kural
– 731)
தள்ளா விளையுளும் தக்காரும் தாழ்விலாச்
செல்வரும் சேர்வது நாடு. (குறள் – 731)
Explanation:
Unfailing
yield implies that the soil is fertile, there is sufficient and timely rain and
those who are engaged in cultivation are meticulous in carrying out their
duties. If the yield is unfailing, then there will be adequate food which is a
basic necessity for the citizens of the country. During the days of Valluvar,
agriculture was the primary occupation in the country. But, in the context of
modern times, “unfailing yield” can be expanded to include the uninterrupted
supply of all goods and services needed for the citizens of the country. The
competent citizenry would include capable people with intelligence, innovation,
and enthusiasm to work hard to produce various products and offer services
required for the people of the country. This interpretation allows the
inclusion of labor as well as management in the category of the competent
citizenry. Discerning people with ample wealth can afford to provide the
necessary capital essential for the production of goods.
In his commentary on Thirukkural, Dr. S.
M. Diaz[1]
suggests that this kural lends itself to interpretation that is consistent with
theories of later-day economists like Adam Smith (1723 – 1790) and Alfred
Marshal (1842 – 1924). Adam Smith’s magnum opus, “The Wealth of Nations,”
is considered the first modern work on economics. Alfred Marshal’s “Principles of Economics (1890)” was the dominant economic textbook in England
for many years. Adam Smith and Alfred Marshal are considered the pioneers
in the field of economics. Adam Smith mentions
land, labor, and capital as the three prime factors of production.
Subsequently, Alfred Marshal adds organization as the fourth factor of
production. Suppose Valluvar’s mention of the competent citizenry can be
interpreted to include labor and management. Then it is consistent with Alfred
Marshal’s view that land, labor, capital, and organization are necessary for
the efficient production of goods. Based on this revised interpretation, the
above kural can be restated as follows: An ideal country is one with productive
land, competent labor and an organization, and discerning people with wealth.
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