WEALTH   GROUPS

 

 


 
                              In fact life should not be  ' in-style'  but always with relevant values and principles. Different possessions, passions and fashions make different life styles. A person is measured and known for the possessions  he/she  has - physical and mental possessions like height, weight, appearance, character, house, properties, qualifications, fame etc. Normally different persons belonging to various groups make all efforts to show/display themselves  ' ins and outs'  with make-up, dresses, cars, status symbols etc.  Popular functions for marriages, birth anniversaries, inaugurations, etc. indicate the financial capacities of the organizers. Practically society gets grouped into different strata depending on possessions and in a city, posh areas, middle class and lower class localities and slums exist. Also it is a fact that within these segregated groups different customs and values prevail. Thus there are rich man's free and lavish worlds, villagers' peaceful lives, poor man's penury and slavery and dirty life styles of slums. Hence properties, riches, powers, popularity, fame etc. decide the ' views and ways' or life styles of citizens and they get clubbed together into different groups like upper class, lower class etc.                              


                              
Now see the social situations in a rural area where natural, traditional and religious values, morals and practices prevail. Agriculture, farming, rearing, trading etc. provide jobs and incomes to the public. Population density is very small (about 200/sq. km.). People are strongly established with their traditions, morals, rituals etc. Society is graded and grouped into rich landlords, small farmers, agricultural workers, traders, craftsmen etc. Since the economy is nourished and balanced by nature and natural agencies like rains, floods, storms etc., growth and stratification of population also are indirectly controlled by nature. In other words, the society exists in  balance with the environment, except for minor and tolerable influences and influxes  from outside areas. In these balanced situations, what are the different types of  wealth groups and 'modes of life'  (or popularly life styles) which exist? A top group of rich landlords with big farms and many farm workers. This small group has their own noble/aristocratic ways of life with big houses, riches and associated life styles.  Next comes the group of small farmers, rearers, traders etc. with sufficient incomes for secure life and some savings. Third is the group of landless farm workers, daily wagers, assistants of various types etc.. Fourth group consists of some jobless, incomeless and wandering persons who live parasitic or idle lives. Another essential group is a small number of persons helping the whole society in their health care, education, religious things, day-to-day administration etc. This fifth group is close to the second strata of society financially. So in a traditional rural economy
which is in balance with environment, the society can be ideally divided into  five groups of persons and families or four wealth groups. Now introduce external influences like, (1) proximity to a city or industrial township and (2) increased irrigation facilities. Over a period of one or two decades the traditional rural economy normally changes into a different type, close to semi-urban type with more rich persons, social groups and growth possibilities
 

                             
The social conditions in an industrial township are very different. An industrial township is entirely planned, engineered and developed for the use of a fixed size of population with known incomes. Education and health care are managed better due to small population. Society consists of  only 3 groups, viz., (1) a top group which is abundantly paid, (2) the middle level and (3) the lower level with sufficient incomes. Houses are provided by the government/company and are designed centrally taking into consideration the salaries. Four types of houses/quarters are sufficient to accomodate the entire staff. Many industrial townships in India are inhabited by workers belonging to different cultures, religions and traditions. Hence traditional and religious things get confined to the personal or familial circles
                            

                              Come to a thickly populated urban area. The main differences of a city from a village are presented in the page 'Learn from nature'. The main points are, (1) population densities in cities are very high (New Delhi's population density is >10000 / sq.km., which is very high compared to 100-200 in rural areas), (2) overall, urban areas are also planned, engineered and developed, (3) natural and ecologically sustainable life styles are practically nil,
(4) number of social groups based on incomes or wealth are high (say about 15) compared to rural areas, (5) all causes of pollutions of atmosphere, land, rivers, ground water and seas are of industrial or urban origin, (6) public health is given low priority compared to industrial growth, and widespread automation and speed, and  (7) service agencies for pleasures and luxuries are plenty.  The remedial solution for all pollutions and unhealthy or destructive life styles is found to be  'make cities green'.  (See the page 'Green Life' also.)
 
                              Comparatively, the most conspicuous thing between rural areas, industrial townships and cities is the differences in wealth groups and social disparities. It is stated in the second paragraph that many rural areas are ordered well by natural, traditional and religious ways and wealth groups are low. Lives in industrial townships are also ordered, but  engineeringly and administratively and number of social groups based on wealth is minimum. In urban areas many industries, institutes, townships and business opportunities exist. But  city as a whole is mismanaged and chaotic situations prevail in many places. Slum areas are caused due to mismanagement, floating population and large number of job/service  opportunities. In this background, the most  important way for bringing order and balance in cities is to control and limit wealth generations and accumulations bringing down number of wealth groups and disparities to tolerable levels. (See last paragraph in the page 'Learn from Nature' also.)  Click here for 'Limits of Wealth'
 
                              Study a forest area where ecological balance prevails. (Click here for the page  'Learn from Nature'.)   Populations of different species can not grow out of balance with other species and nature. (Pause, just think on the present states of balance of populations in cities and many other areas?) The quantity and quality of biodiversity  is dependent on the  nature  around - weathers, climate, water, lands etc. Everything is controlled fully by nature and are in balance. This is a very fundamental aspect of evolving ecosystems. Hence communities  which want to coexist evolvingly have to follow nature. Comparatively, a rural society undisturbed by industrial pollutions and influxes is also balanced with nature. Many industrial townships are well ordered but need not be in balance with nature. As stated in the previous paragraph, urban areas and their populations are driven by the many industries and companies and resulting  trades and services. Here what matters are investments, profits, riches, show, authority, fame, pleasures etc. Existing situations in urban areas, all areas perhaps, are disintegrative and unhealthy. In many  urban areas  ecological     imbalances, high levels of pollutions, uncontrolled  wealth generations and accumulations, disintegrative disparities of  incomes/wealth, disorder and corrupt administrations prevail. Out of these, ecological balance is lost, perhaps in all cities, beyond any remedial measures. (See 'Green Life' for some methods of recouping.)  Urban disorder and corruption depend mainly  on government and leaders.  So  the process of wealth generations and accumulations should be controlled to minimize wealth groups, associated disparities, social tensions, militancy and disorder. (See also the page 'Limits of Wealth' .) This is of high importance due to the strong correlations of industrialization and mushrooming companies to
over-exploitation of natural resources, wasteful business practices, high population desities, consumerism and poor health care.
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