Hello everybody,
I have a few questions on Sikhism’s ideological outlook on a modern entity, capitalism:
When Sikhism emerged we can say with confidence that it emerged in the midst of the Indian Medieval ages (a time of continuous political turmoil). Sikhism also emerged before the arrival of modern capitalism. (India experienced the full revolutionary strength of capitalism after the colonization of India by the British).
Now,
In Medieval India we had a pre-capitalistic society in which the ruthless acquisition of goods was permitted AND was bound to NO ethical norms whatsoever.
(lots of crime: cheating, fraud and larceny were all common modes of acquiring capital)
I am assuming with confidence that our guru's were also against this ruthless acquisition processes.
With the emergence of Capitalism all this changed dramatically, Lawfulness greatly increased under the British rule as was not seen under the Mughal rule.
My question now follows;
What is the Sikh position with respect to Capitalism and the modern Corporation? (It seems to me that our faith is more communal/socialist oriented...especially when you have our guru's introducing the idea of Langar)
Is the legal acquisition of goods permitted within Sikhi? or is a Sikh not permitted to attain too much capital?
How should a wealthy Sikh wear his cloak of riches?
AND
What FORCE should motivate us (AS SIKHS) to accumulate capital to ensure our physical survival?
--> Should it be Maya (A word that is --- very unpopular amongst Sikhs) or something else?
....note if you pick something else then I would like to know what it is?
cheers.
I have a few questions on Sikhism’s ideological outlook on a modern entity, capitalism:
When Sikhism emerged we can say with confidence that it emerged in the midst of the Indian Medieval ages (a time of continuous political turmoil). Sikhism also emerged before the arrival of modern capitalism. (India experienced the full revolutionary strength of capitalism after the colonization of India by the British).
Now,
In Medieval India we had a pre-capitalistic society in which the ruthless acquisition of goods was permitted AND was bound to NO ethical norms whatsoever.
(lots of crime: cheating, fraud and larceny were all common modes of acquiring capital)
I am assuming with confidence that our guru's were also against this ruthless acquisition processes.
With the emergence of Capitalism all this changed dramatically, Lawfulness greatly increased under the British rule as was not seen under the Mughal rule.
My question now follows;
What is the Sikh position with respect to Capitalism and the modern Corporation? (It seems to me that our faith is more communal/socialist oriented...especially when you have our guru's introducing the idea of Langar)
Is the legal acquisition of goods permitted within Sikhi? or is a Sikh not permitted to attain too much capital?
How should a wealthy Sikh wear his cloak of riches?
AND
What FORCE should motivate us (AS SIKHS) to accumulate capital to ensure our physical survival?
--> Should it be Maya (A word that is --- very unpopular amongst Sikhs) or something else?
....note if you pick something else then I would like to know what it is?
cheers.