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Thoughts on Economics Vol. 19, No. 0 1 Political Economy of War and Want: Extension of the Russell Model of Peace on the basis of Islam for Global Prosperity Sarwar Md. Saifullah Khaled

Abstract: The paper shows the endless bounties Allāh has provided humankind with, for their wellbeing and prosperity. But a few have used and diverted these bounties for selfish national and personal prosperity and the production of war weapons at the cost of sufferings of the majority of the people of the globe. It is possible to eradicate poverty of the suffering poor and bring about world peace and equity in the life style of the world public by destroying the war weapons and refraining from fuarther production of such weapons under the aegis of a world government based on Islam. Al Qur’ânic revelation is, “Allāh is the Rich, and ye are the poor.”47/38 “His [i.e. Allāh’s] is the Sovereinty.”35/13 “For each I have appointed a divine law and traced-out way.”5/48

I. Introduction The paper is an attempt to find out the causes and a way out of poverty of nations based on the theoretical findings as per the propositions made by Allāh in Al Qur’ân about His bounties as “Cosmopolitan Wealth”1 to humankind, and the universal code of Islamic rule. Allāh says in Al Qur’ân that: “We created not the heaven and the earth and all that is between them in feigning of play”21/16 “And hath made of service unto you whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth; it is all by His Own favour. Herein verily are portents for the company who reflect.”45/13 The basis of the analysis and propositions made are Al Qur’ân and Sunnah. The concept of Wealth in Materialism and Islam is briefly discussed in Section II of the paper. Section III provides a statistical survey of the bounties of Allāh as Cosmopolitan Resources. The comparative economic development status of some of the representative developed and developing countries of the World,

 The author is a former Staff Economist, (1968-1970). Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, Karachi, Pakistan. Former Professor of Economics and Vice-Principal, Comilla Women’s College, Comilla, Bangladesh. 38 Political Economy of War and Want ...... which essentially discovers the roots and impact of poverty, is presented in Section IV. Section V describes in brief the performance and nature of the UN in economic development of different countries. Section VI outlines an extension of the Bertrand Russell Model of Peace to root out Poverty of nations. The final Section VII makes some concluding remarks. As regards the statistical data used in this article, I humbly cite the Qur’ânic verse “The knowledge there of is with my Benefactor in a Record. My Benefactor neither erreth nor forgetteth.”20/52 Human knowledge is always under limitations of some sort or other.

II. The concept of Wealth in Islam and Materialism The terms ‘poverty’ and ‘prosperity’ connected with wealth are relative and conditions of mind. In theology, the terms are used in both material and spiritual senses. Here, we will try to explain the term wealth as contained in Islam and Materialism. Allāh says in Al Qur’ân; “verily! Religion with Allāh (is) Al Islam”.3/19 Let us discuss in brief as to what the term wealth actually means in Materialism and in Islam. 2.1 Wealth in Materialism A) Capitalism “When a man’s wealth is spoken of simply, and without any interpretation clause in the context, it is to be taken to be his stock of two classes of goods. “In the first class are those material goods to which he has (by law or custom) private rights of property, and which are therefore transferable and exchangeable. These, it will be remembered, include not only such things as land and houses, furniture and machinery, and other material things which may be in his single private ownership, but also any shares in public companies, debenture bonds, mortgages and other obligations which he may hold requiring others to pay money or goods to him. On the other hand, the debts which he owes to others may be regarded as negative wealth; and they must be subtracted from his gross possessions before his true net wealth can be found. “Services and other goods, which pass out of existence in the same instant that they come into it, are, of course, not part of the stock of wealth. “ In the second class are those immaterial goods which belong to him, are external to him, and serve directly as the means of enabling him to acquire material goods. Thus it excludes all his own personal qualities and faculties, Thoughts on Economics 39 even those which enable him to earn his living; because they are Internal. And it excludes his personal friendships, in so far as they have no direct business value. But it includes his business and professional connections, the organization of his business, and – where such things exist – his property slaves, in labour dues, etc. …… “But we still have to take account of those material goods which are common to him with his neighbors; and which therefore it would be a needless trouble to mention when comparing his wealth with theirs; though they may be important for some purposes, and especially for comparisons between the economic conditions of distant places or time. …… “ Many of these things are collective goods; i.e. goods which are not in private ownership. And this brings us to consider wealth from the social, as opposed to the individual point of view. [There remains national wealth.] “In a broad view of national wealth account must be taken of free goods and of the organization of society or the State.” (Marshall, 1962. Pp. 47- 49). B) Socialism “ Some economists take social wealth to mean the totality of accumulated material wealth, the volume of aggregate social product produced over a specified period, the available natural resources, and even the climate. Others count as wealth only the accumulated material wealth and the exploited natural resources. This definition is found in almost all textbooks on statistics and political economy. Still others insist that wealth means the accumulated material wealth only. “This disparity of definition springs from the rather loose formulation of the question: what is wealth? Indeed, what kind of wealth are we talking about? First, there is wealth in the broad sense, which means all the blessings and benefits, which people have at their disposal in one form or other, including the bounty of nature, geographical conditions, climate and even human abilities and skills. Second, there is social, public or national (people’s) wealth which is indissolubly linked with labour and conditioned by it. As Marx put it: “Everything which is not the result of human activity, of labour, is nature and, as such, is not social wealth.” …… “What we mean by wealth is …. totality of material and spiritual values accumulated, developed, discovered or adapted for meeting human wants. If the aggregate social product is the sum total of goods produced over a definite 40 Political Economy of War and Want ...... period, then national or social wealth is the totality of all material and spiritual values which society has at its disposal at a given point of time, irrespective of when these were produced. …… “As society develops, spiritual values assume growing importance. Spiritual wealth comprises scientific and technological knowledge acquired in the past and every passing year, as well as production know-how and experience. The amount and quality of this wealth is an index of the development level of society’s main productive force – the working man”. (Lazutkin,1974. Pp. 11- 14). Such ‘materialistic spiritualism’ is of quite different meaning than ‘religious spiritualism’. 2.2 Wealth in Islam Hazrat Mohammad (s) says, “O Allāh! Give me the life of a poor. Let me die like a poor and in the day of resurrection raise me with the poor”. When Ayesha (r) asked him as to why he prayed so, he answered, “Because they (the poor) will enter the paradise forty years ahead of the rich. Ayesha, if you can give even half of the date, do not turn away a poor empty handed. If you love them and draw them beside you, in the day of resurrection Allāh will draw you beside Him.” (Hadith: Tirmizi). Hazrat Mohammad (s) also used to pray, “O Allāh! I beg your shelter from poverty, want and disgrace.” (Hadith: Bukhari). “Poverty drags people even to the resection of faith.”(Hadith:Baehaky). If we deeply ponder over the Hadiths given above we will realize that it is true that Islam loves the poor but hates poverty. Al Qur’ân reveals, “And sure I shall try you with something of fear and hunger, and loss of wealth and lives and crops; but give glad tidings to the steadfast, who say, when a misfortune striketh them: Verily! We are Allāh’s and verily! unto Him we are returning.”2/155-156 It means that mundane poverty is not a curse but an ordeal of fire to judge human devotion to the greatness of Allāh (it may be temporary or lifelong on earth) for salvation in the hereafter. However, “There is no concept such as indifference to the worldly affairs in Islam”(Hadith) . Moreover, Al Qur’ân reveals, “But monasticism they invented – I ordained it not for them – only seeking Allāh’s pleasure and they observed it not with right observance.”57/27 In Islam within human poverty, material, mental and spiritual poverty are included. The last perspectives have been included because to be a rich does not depend alone in the abundance of material fortune, rather it depends upon the munificence of the heart also (Hadith). In other words, a person concerned may be rich as far as his money-wealth is concerned but if in his culture Thoughts on Economics 41 spiritual attainment is judged, it will be seen that, even then, the person concerned has remained poor (Hamid 1999, Pp.272-273). This is the actual poverty, which is disdained in Islam; the subject of poverty in Islam does not concern external manifest material wealth alone; it casts light on the inner self of humankind too. Islam allows worldly prosperity with a divine purpose, but does not allow extravagance. Hazrat Mohammad (s) prayed to Allāh, “O Allāh! Increase Anas in man and wealth, and whatever you have given him increase that also” (Hadith:Bukhari). Allah says, “Wealth and children are an ornament of life of the world; and the good deeds which endure2 are better in thy Benefactor’s sight for reward and better in respect of hope.” 18/46 Hazrat Mohammad (s) says, “A working person who bears the responsibility of subsistence of the family is dear to Allāh. Allāh does not love a person, being healthy but is averse to worldly effort and indifferent towards performing religious activities” (Hadith:Ibne Mazah). Hazrat Mohammad (s) says, “Endeavour for the world as if you will live here for eternity and endeavour for the Hereafter as if you will die tomorrow” (Hadith). Allāh says, “Rivalry in worldly increase distracteth you until ye come to the graves. Nay, but ye will come to know”.102/1-3 The substance is, seek material wealth for the sake of Allāh and welfare (falah) of humankind and good life (hayāt tayyibah). 2.3 A Comment In essence, the religious doctrines concerning wealth are very similar though Buddhism is based on atheism and the practices of different religions are different. The power of piety and devotion to Allāh in Islam, God in Christianity, Knowledge and Conscious Work in Buddhism, and Bhagabat in Hinduism, has not only made human being an appreciated mundane enjoying Self alone, but also made a Self for spiritual attainment. Capitalism and Socialism are different things and materialism is the essence of their functioning. “Materialism, a logical consequence of the denial of God, holds that matter is the primordial or fundamental constituent of the universe, which is not governed by intelligence, purpose or final causes. Everything is to be explained in terms of material entities or processes. Human feelings and values began to be described as illusions for which the world of fact gave no warrant. Accordingly, wealth, bodily satisfactions, and sensuous pleasures were either the only, or the greatest, values one could seek or attain. Materialism thus provided the foundation for the commercial culture which has gone from strength to strength over the years and has multiplied wants far beyond the ability of available resources to satisfy” (Chapra. 1992. P.22.). 42 Political Economy of War and Want ......

Islam excels over all other religious teachings in that it has made practical detailed elaborations as to how the purpose of the Here and the Hereafter should be served through the medium of the only revealed divine Scripture – Al Qur’ân – and the practices of a person – Prophet Hazrat Mohammad (s) – through whom the Scripture was revealed by the Almighty Allāh – the creator of the universe. “And there is none comparable unto Him”112/4 As regards Hazrat Mohammad (s), it is the unparalleled combination of secular and religious influence that entitles him to be regarded as the most influential single figure in human history. (Hart, 2000. P.40). From Adam (a) – the first man3 sent on earth – to Hazrat Mohammad (s), Islam was the religion for all the Prophets. According to the demands of time to solve problems, changes and extensions were made in it. That is why on the day of farewell Hajj Allāh made it known to Hazrat Mohammad (s) that, “This day have I perfected your religion for you and completed My favour unto you, and have chosen for you as religion AL ISLAM4.”5/3 (Rahman, Mustafizur, 1998. P.179). All of the former Prophets preached Islam. Allāh says, “There is not an animal in the earth, or a flying creature flying on two wings, but they are peoples (i.e. Ummat) like unto you.”6/38 This tantamounts to the divine declaration that Islam is a universal religion and embraces all the creatures on earth. These are the prime considerations behind taking the teachings of Al Islam as a model for the explanation of the causes and consequences of poverty encircling human life and their alleviation. Nevertheless, let everyone be in peace and happiness with one’s own religion.

III. Bounties of Allah: Cosmopolitan Resources Why should there be poverty while Allāh has given a plenty in the heavens and in the earth for humankind? Allāh says, “And hath made of service unto you whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth; it is all from Him. Lo! Herein verily are portents for people who reflect.”45/13 3.1 Surface of the Earth The surface of the earth is an aggregation of Continents and Oceans. Even though the land surface is the foundation of existence of nations and countries, the role played by Oceans in human life is gradually becoming more and more important. A) Continents: Land, Countries and People Thoughts on Economics 43

Here in Table I are the estimates of the area of the land surface of the earth, area distribution among its different continents, their population size, and the number of countries and regions. Table I: Land, People and Countries of the World in 1998

Continent Area Population No. of (in million square km) (in million) Countries and Religions World Total 135.8 5,926 193 Asia 44.4 3,453 47 America 42.1 1,163 36 Africa 30.3 708 54 Europe 10.5 575 42 Australia & Oceania 8.5 27 14 Source: The Table of Prithibee (World Atlas) Published by Basundhara Products, Dhaka 2008, Spidchenko, 1982, Pp.18-28 and Todaro and Smith, 2008, P.265. Asia covers about 32.70% of the land surface of the earth and is inhabited by about 58.27% of the world population. Most of the World rural people which are about 80% of the Asian people dwell in the eastern, south-eastern and southern countries of Asia; the rest about 20% of the Asian people dwell in urban areas. Though the percentage of urban people is relatively low, there are some big cities in Asia. Among them Tokyo is the biggest, other big cities are Shanghai, Mumbai, Beijing, Kolkata, Karachi, Dhaka – on an average the population of these big cities is more than 10 millions. America which is situated in the western hemisphere consists of two huge land pieces – North and Central America and South America. Area covered by this continent is about 31.00% of the land surface of the earth and is dwelled by 19.63% of the world population. The most prosperous country of this continent is the United States of America situated in the North of the continent. The Southern part of the continent is relatively less developed compared to the North. Africa covers about 22.31% of the space of the earth and is inhabited by almost 11.95% of the world population. It is the most backward of all the continents in the earth. Backward industry, primitive methods of cultivation, poverty, and almost total illiteracy are widespread throughout the continent. Europe covers 7.73% of the land space of the earth and is dwelled by 9.70% of the population of the world. More than 50% of the people of this continent live in rich urban areas. There are more than 30 cities here with a million people dwelling in each of them on an average. Urban areas are mostly industrial and 44 Political Economy of War and Want ...... inhabited by the industrial workers. Density of population is about 120 per square kilometer which is higher than in any other continent in the world. Australia and Oceania cover about 6.26% of the earth surface with a population of .46% of the world total. B) Land forms of the Earth “The surface of the land varies greatly from place to place in the world. The greatest plains lie in North America and Eurasia. In South America, Africa, and Australia, the plains are smaller and broken by other landforms. Africa is the plateau continent; nowhere else in the world are there such vast plateau lands. Other extensive plateaus are in western United States, eastern South America, and in middle-eastern Eurasia” (Sorensen, 1964. P.368). C) Earth space under Cultivation and Fishing Allāh says, “As for the good land, its vegetation cometh forth by permission of its Benefactor; while as for that which is bad, nothing grows there from without toil. Thus I do recount the token for the race who give thanks.”7/58 A little of the land in the earth is cultivated. A great part of the world’s food is produced in four areas such as the United States of America, Europe, India, and China (Ibid. P. 374). “Even in the United States, much less than half of the land is farmed. In South America, Africa, and Australia, only a small fraction of the land is planted to crops. Europe seems to have the largest part of its area in cultivated land. Much of the world’s land is not cultivated because it is too wet, or too dry, or too cold. In many areas the soil is not good, or there is no soil al all. In other areas transportation is poor; or men have not yet needed to use the soil, or have not learned how to use it. “There are enormous differences in the way the land is cultivated in different areas. Some farmers use simple hand tools. Others use modern power equipment. There are also differences in kinds of crops, and in what becomes of the harvested crops. In some instances, the farmers themselves use most of the crop. In other places nearly the entire crop is sold, and the farmers buy nearly everything they need, including food” (Ibid. Pp. 374-375). D) Mountains “ The mountains of the world are remarkably concentrated. One broad mountain belt reaches almost continuously from Alaska to the southern tip of South America, along the Pacific side of the American continents. There is another group of mountains in middle Eurasia. From this central group, Thoughts on Economics 45 irregular mountain belts reach out in three directions, to Western Europe, to far eastern Siberia, and to the islands off the coast of southeastern Asia. The hilly lands of the world are rather widely scattered, in general, however, they tend to appear near the mountains” (Ibid. Pp. 368-369.) In respect of their heights at least 22 mountains of the world are mentionable; the highest of these being the Himalayas (the peak is the Everest measuring 8848 meters in height) in Asia, and the lowest is the Great Dividing Range (the peak is Kososiumko measuring 2228 meters in height) in Australia. All of them are ice covered and huge mountain ranges of the world. E) Deserts Ten major deserts may be considered. The largest among these is the Sahara (with an area of about 8.4 million square kilometers) in Northern Africa and the smallest one is Nubian (with an area of .26 million square kilometers) in Northern America. The total earth surface covered by these ten deserts is 14.75 million square kilometers, which is about 10.86% of the earth surface. The area of the earth covered by the desert land would be more if the minor ones were also included. The desert stressing India and Pakistan is the Thar with an area of .26 million square kilometers; there is no desert land in Bangladesh. F) Forests Total area of forest resources of the earth is 4068.5 million hectors, which is 31.10% of the total land space on earth. In Bangladesh, the total forest area is 5.0 million hectors, which is 17.5% of the area of the country. The countries having more than 60% of their land covered by forests are in the descending order – Indonesia 67.05% with a forest area of 121.5 million hectors, Japan 66.58% with a forest area of 215.0 million hectors, and Brazil 65.98% with a forest area of 558.0 million hectors. Britain’s forest area is 2.3 million hectors, which is 9.50% of its total land surface, but its per capita forest area is .04 hectors, which is two times that in Bangladesh. The most densely forest continent is South America, with 822.5 million hectors of forest land, which is 46.92% of its total surface area and 21.40% of the world forest land. The least is Australia with 155.6 million hectors which is 18.40% of its surface area and the lowest (4.05%) of the world total forestland. G) Mineral Resources of the World 46 Political Economy of War and Want ......

As regards mineral resources, Allāh has given a plenty for humankind to use until the doomsday.5 The statistical information in Table II shows the stock of hitherto discovered natural reserves of mineral resources and their annual production in the World. Table II. Mineral Resources of the World

Item Natural Reserves Annual Production Mineral Coal 15264 billion tons 3700 million tons 9000 billion tons Oil 2760 million tons (20090 billion barrels) Gas 723600 billion square meters 1500billion square meters Structural Metals Iron Ore 300 billion tons or more 750 millions tons Manganese Ore 1 billion tons 10 millions tons Chromites 700 million tons N.K. Bauxite 1.2 billion tons N.K. Chalcopyrite 300 million tons 4 million tons Lead 150 million tons 3 metric tons Zinc 250 million tons 6 metric tons .35 million tons 13 hundred tons Gold (1 billion Ooze) (40 million Ooze) Non-Metallic Resources Lime Stone 5 billion tons* 30 million tons* Diamond N.K 12 million carats Mica 150 km* N.K.

Source: Spidechenko, K., 1982, P. 11. Paul, 1999. Pp. 136-142. *Figures include India only. N.K. - Not known to the Author of this Article. Note: Figures are undated except those of Coal, Oil and Gas which are dated as of 1980. Of the 20090 billion barrels of Oil 50% is in the Middle Eastern countries such as Saudi Arabia, U.A.E., Kuwait, Iraq, Libya. H) Water: Oceans and Seas – Their Resources. Oceanic region of the world is composed of Oceans and Seas. The surface of the earth is not uniform throughout. 72% of the earth surface is watery and the rest 28% is land. Of the 72% of water 70% is saline Oceanic or Sea water and the rest 2% is non-saline or sweet water in ponds, lakes, canals, beels, haors, Thoughts on Economics 47 rivers, drains, paddy fields, fountains, rain water etcetera. Three-fifths of the Northern hemisphere and four-fifths of the Southern hemisphere of the globe is Oceanic (Paul, 1999, Pp. 147-151)6 a) Hydrological Cycle and Oceanic and Sea Resources and Pastures of the Sea Al Qur’ân reveals, “Allāh is He who sendeth the winds so that they drift clouds, and then He spreadeth them along the sky as pleaseth; then causeth them to break and thou seest the rain downpouring from within them; when He maketh it to fall on whom He will of His bondmen, they rejoice.” 30/48 For details Vide.(Bucaille, 1995, Pp. 227-234. and Paul, 1999, Pp. 153-154)7. These Oceans and Seas are the storehouses of huge natural resources.8 The prospect of the extraction of such Oceanic wealth has widened in our time. New methods for economic use of Oceanic biological, mineral, chemical and other resources are being invented and discovered. Oceanic and Sea resources include Salt, Magnesium, Bromine, Potassium, Iodine and other biological and chemical elements of Oceanic and Sea water which are expressible in astronomical figures only.9 Some day, much of this wealth may be recovered if it does not harm the ecological balance of the planet earth. The economic prosperity of the world, especially its future, manifestly depends increasingly upon the collection of the boundless Oceanic and Sea resources of the world. The importance of Oceanic and Sea transport has become very significant these days. Goods carried by thousands of modern Oceanic and Sea vessels are more than two-thirds of all carried by the total means of transportation. “The ships which run upon the sea with that which is of use to men” 2/164 are ever increasing. Most of the countries are along the Oceanic and Sea coastal regions. The developing countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America are in an advantageous position for advancing sea transport and fishing as they are situated along the warm Sea coastal belts; it is becoming gradually important for these countries. Different countries of the world are building new ports and at the same time developing and modernizing the old ones. Specially two types of sea weeds are identified in the Sea environment. One is that which grows in the regions of ebb and flow of tide along the coastal belt around pebbles, stones, hard shells of corals et cetera up to the depth of sea to which sunrays can reach. These seaweeds are known as benthic and are usually large. It has been ascertained that the inhabitants of different Pacific Islands along with the Chinese, Japanese, Malaysians, Irish et cetera had been using such seaweeds as foods for thousands of years and the custom persists. 48 Political Economy of War and Want ......

Besides being used as food these are being used to make other valuable substances such as “Agar-Agar” and now some of the species of these weeds are being commercially “cultivated”. The others are microscopic mono-celli floating over the vast sea surface. These are scientifically known as phytoplankton (Islam, 1987, Pp. 130-131). “Although scientists estimate that each year green plants of the earth combine about 150 billion tons of carbon with 25 billion tons of hydrogen, releasing 400 billion tons of oxygen, 90 percent of this action takes place in the sea. The pastures of the sea are not grass, alfalfa, and other seed plants grown on land, but mostly the tiny organisms found at the surface such as microscopic plants and seaweeds. The microscopic plants are described by the term phytoplankton as mentioned above. Until recently, little research work has been done with the process by which sunlight is captured by sea plants. …. To find the answer to the question regarding the sun and sea life, scientists are doing extensive research work by cruises on specially equipped ships”(MacCracken, et al. 1967. Pp. 172-173.). Al Qur’ân reveals, “Blessed be He Who hath placed in the heaven mansions of the stars, and hath placed therein a great lamp and moon giving light!25/61 “And He it is Who hath constrained the sea to be of service that ye may eat fresh fish from thence, and bring forth from thence ornaments which ye wear as dressing; and thou seest the ships ploughing it that ye (mankind) may seek of His bounty, and that ye may give thanks.”16/14 b) Major Rivers, Lakes and falls There are about more than a crore minor and major rivers flowing across different parts of the world. About 30 lac minor and major rivers are flowing across the CIS countries. These include major rivers like Ob (3,650 km. in length), Amour (4,344 km. in length), Ibtice (5,152 km. in length), Lena (4,264 km. in length), Eunice (4,093 km. in length) and Volga (3,686 km. in length) (Spidchenko, 1982, P. 31). Mention may be made of about 27 major rivers stressing in different continents of the world whose length ranges from the highest 6,669 km. (the Nile in Africa) to the lowest 2,063 km. (the Orinoco in South America). Within this range of length are rivers like the Indus (2,896 km.) stretching India and Pakistan, and Brahmaputra (2,896 km.) stretching India and Bangladesh. The second longest river is the Amazon (6,275 km. in length) in South America. There are hundreds of thousands of other rivers and their tributaries, which raise the number nearly to a crore, or more. Thoughts on Economics 49

There are about 28 lac lakes in the CIS countries, which include the Caspian Sea the biggest, and the Alana water Lake Baikal that is the deepest (1741 meter) in the world (Spidchenko, 1982, P. 31). The name of twenty-eight major Lakes of the world can be mentioned whose area ranges from 372,000 sq. km. (the Caspian Sea in Kazakhstan) to 5,569 sq. km. (Vanarn in Sweden). There are perhaps crores more minor lakes around the globe whose exact number is unknown to the author of this Article. At least 15 major falls of the world can be named whose heights range from the highest 1000 meters (Engel in Venezuela) to the lowest 167 meters (Nayagra in the US-Canada); there are numerous within and below the lower limit of this range. Within the mentionable range is Garsopa (253 meters) in India. There is no fall in Bangladesh. The author of this Article does not know the total number of falls in the world. I) Fishing Fishing is done in Seas, Gulfs, Lakes, Rivers, Canals, Ponds et cetera. In 1998, 12213.8 million metric tons of fish were caught throughout the world, out of which 1906.8 million metric tons, which is 17.34% of the total, were caught in China alone; the only other double figure percentage, 11.02% of the world, were caught by Japan, the amount being 1166.0 million metric tons. India caught 487.2 million metric tons, which is 4.67% of the world total in that year. 3.2 Sources of Energy The Sources of Energy used by the contemporary world may be categorized into three: (i) Non-renewable Conventional Energy Sources id est. Coal, Oil, and Natural Gas. (ii) Renewable Conventional Energy Sources id est. Flowing Water Energy and Atomic Energy or Nuclear Energy. (iii) Renewable Non- Conventional Energy Sources id est. Solar Energy, Geothermal Energy, Tidal Energy, Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Technology (OTEC), Wind Energy, Alcohol & Vegetable Oil (Menthol & Ethanol), Biomass, and Bio-gas Energy. 3.3 Among the Endless Bounties of Allāh In the words of Allāh, “Allāh is He Who created the heavens and the earth, and causeth water to descend from the sky, thereby producing fruits and roots as food for you, and maketh the ships to be of service unto you, that they may run upon the sea at His command, and hath made of service unto you the rivers; and maketh the sun and moon, constant in their courses, to be of service 50 Political Economy of War and Want ...... unto you, and hath made of service unto you the night and the day; and He giveth you of all ye ask of Him, and if ye would count the bounty of Allāh ye cannot reckon it. Man is verily an oppressor, an ingrate.”14/32-34 “And He it is Who sendeth the winds, glad tidings heralding His mercy, and I send down purifying water from the sky.”25/48 “He covereth the night with the day, which is in haste to follow it, and hath made the sun and the moon and the stars subservient by His command.”7/54 “He it is Who sendeth down water from the sky, and therewith I bring forth seedlings of vegetations of every kind; then I bring forth the green blade from which I bring forth the thick-clustered grain; and from the date-palm, from the pollen thereof, spring pendant bunches; and (I bring forth) gardens of grapes, and the olive and the pomegranate, alike and unlike. Look upon the fruits thereof, when they bear fruit, and upon its ripening. Therein verily are portents for a race who believe.”6/99 The endless bounties that the Almighty Allāh has blessed the humankind with are beyond numbers. “Which is it, of the favors of your Benefactor that ye deny”55/61 “Allāh says: “If all the trees in the earth were pens, and the sea, with seven more seas to help it were ink, the words of Allāh could not be exhausted. Allāh is Mighty, Wise.”31/27

IV. Developed and Developing Countries 4.1 Developed and Developing Nations The discovery and the use of the above-mentioned bounties of Allāh have been gradually made over centuries. After the Second World War, their discovery and use have rapidly increased because of the speedy advancement of science and technology, but the fruits of the development of science and technology are heavily concentrated in the colonial and neo-colonial countries of Europe and the so-called New World in America. Their concentration gradually accelerated in those countries even after they freed the colonies as independent nations after the Second World War and over and above the scope for such concentration increased with the flow of brain from the former colonies to the favorable environment of those countries of Europe and America. As a result, the colonial countries which got the opportunity for development by transferring resources from the colonies to their own before the Second World War continued to develop even at a faster rate after the Second World War. Moreover, the flow of various resources from the newly independent countries continued through the trade terms in favour of the developed ones. This resulted in an unequal development mechanism in the World Economy – the rich nations growing richer and the poor poorer and the Thoughts on Economics 51 gap between the two is ever increasing. The prosperities of the richer nations owe to the sorrows and miseries of the people of the former colonies (Umar,1992. Pp.18-21 and Hunter, 1996) “and in their [i.e. rich nations’] wealth the needy and the deprived [i.e. the poor nations] had due share.”51/19 If we look at the per capita Gross National Product of some selected developed and developing countries the degree of overall disparity in the level of economic development among the rich and poor nations become even more sharper. “Notice that in 1994, the country with the highest per capita income, Switzerland, had 286 times the per capita income of one of the world’s poorest countries, Ethiopia, and 120 times that of one of the world’s largest nations, India.10 “ Most economies of less developed countries are oriented toward the production of primary products (agriculture, fuel, forestry, and raw materials) as opposed to secondary (manufacturing) and tertiary (service) activities. These primary commodities form their main exports to other nations (both developed and less developed). For example, in 1992, for all non-Asian Third World countries, these primary products accounted for over 70% of exports (Table III). Except in those countries blessed with abundant supplies of petroleum and other valuable mineral resources and a few leading Asian [Japan, China, Korea, Malaysia mainly] exporters of manufactured goods, most LDC exports consist of basic foodstuffs, nonfood cash crops, and raw materials. In Sub- Saharan Africa, for example, primary products account for over 88% of total export earnings”(Todaro, 1998, Pp.52-53). Table III: Composition of World Exports, 1992 (percentage of primary and manufactured products)

Item Non-Asian Developing Countries Developing Countries Primary Manufactured Primary Manufactured Commodities Commodities Share of Exports (%) 71 29 14 82 Source: World Bank, Word Bank Development Report, 1994 (New York: Oxford University Press, 1994), tab.15. Showing many other indicators of the gap between the Developed and the Developing Countries, Michael P. Todaro in his book Economic Development (Pp. 26-68.) concludes: “The phenomenon of under development must be viewed in both a national and international context. Problems of poverty, low productivity, population growth, unemployment, primary-product export dependence, and international vulnerability have both domestic and global 52 Political Economy of War and Want ...... origins and potential solutions. Economic and social forces, both internal and external, are therefore responsible for poverty, inequality, and low productivity that characterize most Third World nations. The successful pursuit of economic and social development will require not only the formulation of appropriate strategies within the Third World but also a modification of the present international economic order to make it more responsive to the development needs of poor nations”.(Ibid. P. 55). In this regard, attention may be drawn to the Qur’ânic verse: “Allāh hath favoured some of you above others in provision. Now those who are more favoured will by no means hand over their provision to those (slaves) whom their right hand possess, so that they may be equal with them in respect thereof.11 Is it then the grace of Allāh that they deny?”16/71 Allāh desires: “O ye who believe! Observe your duty to Allāh with right observance, and die not saving as those who have surrendered (unto Him); and hold fast, all of you together, to the cable of Allāh, and do not separate. And remember Allāh’s favour unto you: how ye were enemies and He made friendship between your hearts so that ye may become as brothers by His grace; and (how) ye were upon the brink of an abyss of fire, and Allāh did save you from it. Thus Allāh maketh clear His revelations unto you, that haply ye may be guided, and there may spring from you a nation who invite to goodness, and enjoin right conduct and forbid indecency. Such are they who are successful.”3/102-104 These are clear indications to humankind made by Allāh for cooperation to avert misery, poverty, chaos, confusion and indecency on earth so that human soul may be in peace Here and Hereafter. 4.2 The Question of Population and Development There are views for and against as to whether population is a hurdle in the way of development of the poor nations of the Third World. It is argued that rising population is a hindrance to the development of the poor nations and at the same time poverty is a cause of population boom; it is argued that if such nations could experience economic development, population growth would have a downward trend. It is also argued that the developed white people’s concern about the rise of non-white population of the Third World countries may cause a threat to their prosperity by a “challenge to the international order by the people who are its first victims.” “A more conventional argument is that of population growth as an essential ingredient to stimulate economic development”. (Todaro, 1998, Pp. 189-225). Thoughts on Economics 53

In fact the World population has not yet surpassed the limit that the resource endowment of the World in totality is not capable of supporting it, nor the population of the World will ever become as large as it would become impossible for the World to support it. Allāh says, “And the earth have I spread out, and placed therein firm hills, and causeth each seemly thing to grow therein in good measure and have given unto you livelihoods therein, and unto those for whom ye provide not.12And there is not a thing but with Me are the stores thereof and it is Me who furnish it not save in appointed measure.”15/19-21 4.3 Luxury and Adversity An important question of concern is what is to be done to bring about parity in the living standard of the Global public. Before going on to answer that question a scrutiny may be made as to how much unequal use of nonrenewable resources is made by the developed and the developing nations of the World. Almost 80% of the world’s resources are being consumed by the developed countries with less than 25% of the world’s population. “For example, the average North American or European consumer uses up, directly or indirectly, almost 16 times as much of the world’s food, energy, and material resources as his counterpart in Third World countries. In terms of the depletion of world’s limited [hitherto discovered] 13resources, therefore, the addition of another child in the developed countries is as significant as the birth of 16 additional children in the under developed countries. According to this argument: developed nations should curtail their excessively high consumption standards instead of asking less developed nations to restrict their population growth” under the existing world economic order (Todaro, 1998,P. 213). In addition to this, the wastage of resources made by the extravagant people of the developed nations requires to be stopped. Allāh says, “O Children of Adam! Look to your adornment at every place of worship, and eat and drink, but be not prodigal. He loveth not the prodigals.”7/31 “ In resource terms, more than 70% of the world’s cropland goes into grain production. Yet the average North American directly or indirectly consumes five times as much grain and the corresponding agricultural resources – land, fertilizer, water – as his or her counterpart in India, Nigeria, or Colombia.” (Ibid. Pp. 225-226). A) Energy Consumption and Global Inequity “ With regard to energy, probably the second most essential resource to modern society, the average American’s consumption of energy fuels (fossil 54 Political Economy of War and Want ...... oil and coal, nuclear, and hydroelectric) in 1990 was 25 times the average Brazilian’s, 60 times the average Indian’s, 191 times the average Nigerian’s and 351 times the average Ethiopian’s consumption level!” (Ibid. P.226). As regards consumption of energy, US consumption was 8 tons per capita in 1992 while India and Pakistan consumed about .25 tons per capita as a result the contribution of the developed countries to the green house gases and the depletion of the ozone layer is far greater than that caused, if any, by the developing countries.14 B) Unscrupulous Global Military Spending vis-à-vis the concept of Contemporary Warfare The ever increasing unscrupulous spending in the form of military build up by the developed and developing countries in the face of abject poverty of about 80% of the World population is shown in Table IV. Though there is a harmony in the military expenditure of the developed (2.7%) and the developing (2.7%) countries in terms of the percentage of GDP, in absolute and relative terms the developed countries spent ($798 billion in 1995) 4.18 times more than the developing countries ($154 billion). In the face of quivering poverty of the majority of the people around the globe, it is a heartless mockery made by the so-called ‘peace loving’ leadership of both the developed and developing countries of the world. Every civilized soul prays for an early end to such a superfluous military extravaganza made by both the developed and the developing countries.

Table IV: Trend in Global Military Spending, 1960-1995 (billion dollars)

Developing Developing Industrial Countries Year World Countries Countries (Percentage of World Expenditure)

1960 35 385 420 8.3 1970 75 545 620 12.1 1980 137 618 735 18.1 1984 155 750 905 17.1 1987 132 838 970 13.6 1990 123 762 885 13.9 1995 154 644 798 19.3

Source: United Nations Development Program, Human Development Report, 1992 and 1997 (New York Oxford University Press 1992,1997). Thoughts on Economics 55

Table V shows Military and Social Expenditure in Developing and Industrial Countries in 1995. Table V. Military and Social Expenditure in Developing and Industrial Countries, 1995

Military Expenditure Military as a Percentage of Item Expenditure Combined Education (% of GDP) and Health Expenditure

All Developing Countries 3.1 63 Least Developed Countries 2.7 71 Sub-Sharan Africa 2.6 44 Industrialized Countries 2.7 33 World 2.8 38

Somce: United Nations Development Prigram, Human Resource Development Report, 1997. The two tables above show that a huge amount of money is being spent for military build up around the globe. The world resources used for military build up can be diverted for the making of a morsel of food for each of the hungry millions or a tablet of medicine for each of the diseased millions or for making shelters for the millions of the shelter-less or for the literacy of the millions of illiterates or to create job opportunities for millions of jobless around the Globe or for all of these so that the world becomes a better place to live in free from anxiety of need and misery. Allāh says, “Call upon your Benefactor humbly and in secret. He loveth not aggressors. Work not confusion in the earth after the fair ordering (thereof), and call on Him in fear and hope. The mercy of Allāh is nigh unto the good.”7/55-56 There are arguments both in the developed and developing countries for and against military expenditure from the economic (Todaro, 1998,P. 634) point of view but there can be no argument whatsoever for military expenditure from the humanitarian point of view. As regards war Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (s) who was compelled to fight at least 19 wars (Bukhari, 1999. P.795) said, “War is a sort of hoodwinking”(Ibid. P.545). The Prophet also declared that the “one who hoodwinks shall not be counted as my followers” (Hadith: Muslim Sharif). Allāh says,: “Allāh defendeth those who are true. Allāh loveth not each treacherous ingrate. Sanction is given unto those who fight15 because they have been wronged; and Allāh is indeed Able to give them victory; those who have been driven from their homes unjustly only because they said: Our Benefactor is Allāh – For had it not for Allāh’s repelling some men by means of others, cloisters and churches and oratories and mosques, wherein the name 56 Political Economy of War and Want ...... of Allāh is oft mentioned, would assuredly have been pulled down. Verily Allāh helpeth one who helpeth Him. Allāh is Strong, Almighty – those who, if I give them power in the land, establish worship and pay the poor due and enjoin kindness and forbid inequity; and Allāh’s is the sequel of events.”22/38-41 Allāh puts a condition upon war: “Fight in the way of Allāh against those who fight against you, but begin not hostilities. Verily Allāh loveth not aggressors.”2/190 But the contemporary concept of arms buildup is to threaten the weaker nations to be submissive to military power of the stronger ones but not to Almighty Allāh; as a result contemporary arms buildup and war is unbinding and unlawful as it happens for the dominance of one nation upon another. The concept of Zihad in Islam is surrender in worship to the Almighty Allāh while on the other hand the contemporary concept of war is a surrender of the weak to the strong ones in which the element of piety and worship is absent; contemporary wars are fought under the persuasion of materialistic zeal. So contemporary arms buildup and war is unfair and unjust and should be avoided. What has been given emphasis upon as compulsory by the Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (s) is Halal (permissible) income. He said: “to search for permissible income (Halal) is more than compulsory.” (Hadith:Baehaki) In most of the cases, contemporary lifestyles of the people of both the developed and developing countries do not conform to this idea of Halal income in general and the result of contemporary warfare in particular; over and above the subject matter of western economics does not bother about the purity of personal, social or national income at all. The lack of considerations about the purity of Income earned is an inhuman fault with the writings of the western economists in general and in most of the cases the contemporary Muslims in particular. In the name of secularism, most of the virtues of religious customs, which are beneficial to the humankind in general, have been thrown away inviting anarchy and disharmony in personal, social, national, and international behavior of individuals of different nations and different countries of the World. As a result, there is a rise in the conflicting interests of individuals within a nation and among nations and there lies the genesis of international arms build up around the globe. It is pathetic, in deed, that in the age of most modern scientific and cultural civilization of the Twenty First Century humankind has not learned to live in a World free from Wars; and it is more so that the nations which boast of their ultra modern scientific and cultural attainments rush upon the weaker nations with their ultramodern military equipments. The advancement of science, technology and culture instead of ushering in an age of all-round hope and safety for the humankind is Thoughts on Economics 57 gradually sharpening the weapons of wars and mass destruction and withering out reasons and piety from human soul; the affluent a person or a nation becomes the more he or that nation becomes a threat to human safety. In this regard the teaching of the Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (s) is: “to be harmed (you) and to cause harm to (other) is ultra vires.” (Hadith) C) A Picture of Deprivation Tables VI and VII provide pictures of both the extent of absolute poverty (it is meant to represent a specific minimum level of income needed to satisfy the basic physical needs of food, clothing, and shelter in order to ensure continued survival) and its numerical magnitudes measured on the methodology of establishing an international poverty line at, “say, a constant U.S. $370 (based, for example, on the value of the 1985 dollars) and then attempt to estimate the purchasing power equivalent of that sum of money in terms of a developing country’s own currency” (Todaro, 1998, p. 43) and an idea about the people of the world consuming calorie below the required level, respectively. Table VI. People Living in Absolute Poverty, 1989 (estimated)

% of the total Number of Regions Population (of the area People concerned) World Total 1,225 23 Asia 675 25 Sub-Saharan Africa 325 62 North Africa & Middle East 75 28 Latin America 150 35 Source: From United Nations Population Fund, Population Resources, and the Environment: The critical Challenge (New York: United Nations Population Fund, 1991)

Table VII. Population with Consumption below Calorie Requirements

% of the Total Number of Regions Population (of the area People concerned) Latin America 112 36 Asia 707 63 Middle East 61 33 Africa 193 61 Total 1,073 55 58 Political Economy of War and Want ......

Source: S. Reutlinger and M. Selowesky, Malnutrition and Poverty: Magnitude and Policv Options (Baltimore; John Hopkins University Press, 1976). Published for the World Bank by the John Hopkins University Press.

The statistical information presented in Table VIII shows human health deprivation in the Developing World in 2001 by nature of health and education deprivation and the numbers deprived.

Table VIII. Human Health and Education Deprivation in the Developing World, 2001

Nature of Health Deprivation Numbers Deprived Lack of access to health services 766 million (1995) Lack of access to safe water 968million (1998) Lack of access to sanitation 2.4 billion (1998) Children dying before age 5 from 1 l million (1998) preventable causes Underweight children under age 5 163 million (1998) People living with HIV/AIDS 34 million (2000) Illiterate adults 854 million (2000) Children not in school 325 million (2000)

Source: United Nations Development Program, Human Development Report, 2001 (New York: Oxford university Press, 2001). As for the reason of such deprivation shown above is said "that the malnutrition is [not] the inevitable result of an imbalance between world population and world food supply. The more likely explanation can be found in the enormous imbalance in world income distribution. Thus malnutrition and poor health in developing world are perhaps even more a matter of poverty than of food production, even though the two factors are indirectly interrelated" (Todaro, 1998, P.44). Table IX provides a comparative picture of income poverty across regions. Table IX: Income Poverty by Region, Selected Years, 1987-1998.16

Population Share of Population Living on Less Region Covered by Than $1 a Day (million) at least One Survey 1987 1990 1993 1996 1998a (percent) East and Pacific 90.8 417.5 452.4 431.9 265.1 278.3 Excluding China 71.1 114.1 92.0 83.5 55.1 65.1 Europe and 81.7 1.1 7.1 18.3 23.8 24.0 Thoughts on Economics 59

Central Asia Latin America 88.0 63.7 73.8 70.8 76.0 78.2 and the Caribbean Middle East and 52.5 9.3 5.7 5.0 5.0 5.5 North Africa South Asia 97.9 474.4 495.1 505.1 531.7 522.0 Sub-Saharan 72.9 217.2 242.3 273.3 289.0 290.9 Africa Total 88.1 1,183.2 1,276.4 1,304.3 1,190.6 1,198.9 Total Excluding 84.2 879.8 915.9 955.9 980.5 985.7 China Share of Population Living on Less Region Than $1 a Day (Percent) 1987 1990 1993 1996 1998a East and Pacific 26.6 27.6 25.2 14.9 15.3 i Excluding China 23.9 18.5 15.9 10.0 11.3 Eurowe and Central Asia 0.2 1.6 4.0 5.1 5.1 Latin America and the 15.3 16.8 15.3 15.6 15.6 Caribbean Middle East and North Africa 4.3 2.4 1.9 1.8 1.9 SouthMiddle Asia East and North Africa 44.9 44.0 42.4 42.3 40.0 Sub-Saharan Africa 46.6 47.7 49.7 48.5 46.3 Total 28.3 29.0 28.1 24.5 24.0 Total Excluding China 28.5 28.1 27.7 27.0 26.2 __ Source: World Bank World Development Report 2000/2001. Attacking Poverty (New York: Oxford University Press. 2000). Tab. l.l, p.23. The story of relative differences in economic development between nations resulting in man made fortune and misfortune around the globe is not a saga of vitality to boast of, but rather a story which causes a conscientious soul with humane values to be sagged down in surprise considering as to the extent of callousness to which human inconsideration may drive this bounteous world. That is why Allāh says, “If ye do well, ye do well for your own self, and if ye do evil, it is for your own self too.”17/7 In 2000, World Population was 6,090 millions (Todaro and Smith, 2008, P.261). People Living in Absolute Poverty according to Table VI in 1989 (estimated) is 1,225 millions id est. roughly 20.11%. People living with Consumption below Calorie Requirements according to Table VII is 1,073 millions id est. roughly 17.62%. Table VIII shows the nature and number of Human Health and Education Deprivation in the Developing World in 2001. People Living on Less Than $1 a Day in 1998 according to Table IX is 1,199 60 Political Economy of War and Want ...... millions id est. roughly 19.69% of the World total Population. It is up to the humankind to rectify it.

V. United Nations and its Performance In 1951, the United Nations published a Report by a Group of Experts17 appointed by the First Secretary-General of the United Nations, Norwegian Mr. Trygve Lie (1946-1953), entitled MEASURES FOR THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF UNDER-DEVELOPED COUNTRIES. Since then much water has flowed down the Hudson River by New York, the most prosperous city of the Word’s most affluent nation, where the United Nation is located, and the River Buriganga by Dacca, a provincial capital of one of the World’s poorest nations – Pakistan, which by this time is Dhaka, the capital of an independent country Bangladesh. After making a thorough survey of the then World Economic Situation, four broad recommendations were made in the SUPPLEMENT section of the report, the first two of which were on international cooperation in respect of Economic Development among the World Countries, (United Nations, 1951, P. 105). The two recommendations were: 1. “Recommends that all Members of the United Nations, during the period of general shortage of goods, take special measures to bring about adequate production and equitable international distribution of capital goods, essential consumer goods and raw materials especially needed for the maintenance of international peace and security, the preservation of standards of living and the furthering of economic development; 2. “Recommends that all Members of the United Nations, during the period of general inflationary pressure, take measures, direct or indirect, to regulate at equitable levels and relationships, the prices of essential goods moving in international trade, including capital goods, essential consumers’ goods and raw materials”. Since then significant changes have taken place in the World Economic Scenario. The United Nations within its own limitations has played a commendable role in ameliorating the miseries of the developing countries save and except its major failure in the recent Iraq question as regards “international peace and security” even if we ignore the overall minor failures of this World body in the past. The Iraq crisis has raised doubts as to whether Thoughts on Economics 61 the U.N. body is empowered with the right or might to prevent a single Super Power from violating the U.N. Charter.18 As regards international economic cooperation and development, after the end of the Second World War, in a new environment, the growth of increasing per capita income gap both among the people of individual countries and among the different countries of the World has widened. Moreover, the fruits of national and international development have been concentrated within the hands of a few.19 X provides an idea about the ever-increasing income disparity between the Richest and the Poorest countries of the World since 1960 up to 2000. Table X: Global Income Disparity between the Richest and Poorest 20 Percent of the World’s Population, 1960-2000

Year Percentage of Global Income Ratio of Income Shares Poorest 20% Richest 20% Richest to Poorest 1960 2.3 70.2 30 to 1 1970 2.3 73.9 32 to 1 1980 1.7 76.3 45 to 1 1991 1.4 85.0 61 to 1 2000 N.K. N.K. 70 to 1 Source: United Nations Development Program. Human Development Report, 1992 (New York: Oxford University Press, 1992). p.36. United Nations Development Program. Human Dereloprnent Report, 1994 and 2001. (New York: Oxford University Press, 1994 and 2001. The question now is how to check such an ever-increasing accumulation of the fruits of World prosperity in the storehouse of the richest people and countries in the face of poverty and deprivation of the poorer and poorest people and countries. The responsibility lies with the World body to check the siphoning out of the fruits of prosperity from the poor to the rich, resulting from the development of science and technology in particular and the resources of the World in general. The conventional techniques of aiding and helping the poor nations by the rich ones, practiced so far, proved not appropriate for this purpose, rather it increases disparity between nations and within nations20. The recent literature on the issue emphasizes "on many of the economic and non- economic manifestations of the growing globalization of trade and finance and the increasing interdependence of nations. We have seen that whereas three decades ago this interdependence was perceived primarily in terms of the 62 Political Economy of War and Want ...... dependence of poor nations on rich ones, today the situation is different. The third World nations are now the fastest growing export markets for developed countries. .... Let there be no misunderstanding, however. Poor nations are now and will remain considerably more vulnerable to the economic events and policies of rich nations than vice versa."(Todaro, 1998, P.662). This means that the fate of the World economy has gone within the grip of the rich nations. This is contrary to the basic principle of Islamic economics that "one who grubbed wealth is a sinner (Hadith: Muslim)." The way in which this is being done is also disapproved by A1 Qur'anic verse: "O ye who believe! Squander not your wealth among yourselves in vanity, except it is a trade by mutual consent, and not kill one another." 4/29

"As for the distributional effects of trade, it is fair to claim that the principal benefits of world trade have accrued disproportionately to rich nations and. within the poor nations, disproportionately to foreign residents and wealthy nationals. This should not be construed as an indictment of inherent nature of trade. [Had it been so, Qur'anic revelation could not be that: "Those who swallow usury cannot rise up save as he ariseth whom the devil hath prostrated by (his) touch. That is because they say: Trade is just like usury; whereas Allah permitteth trading and forbideth usury."2/275]. Rather, it reflects the highly inegalitarian institutional, social, and economic ordering of the global system, in which a few powerful nations and their multinational corporations control vast amounts of world resources" (Todaro, 1998, P. 448).This is so because the major portion of the international trading is between the Developed and Developing countries. The statistical information provided in Table XI gives an idea about the foreign trading conducted within the Third World countries. Table: XI Trade within Selected [Third World] Regional Trading Blocs, 1970-1999

1970 1980 1990 1999 Trading Block Share of Total Share of Total Share of Total Share of Total Exports (%) Exports (%) Exports (%) Exports (%) Latin America Andean Group 1.8 3.8 4.1 9.3 South Cone Market 9.4 11.6 8.9 20.5 (Marcosur) Thoughts on Economics 63

Central American Common 26.0 24.4 15.3 11.6 Market (CACM)

Latin American Integration 9.9 13.7 8.9 13.0 Association (LAIA)

Africa

Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa 7.5 10.3 7.6 7.5 States (COMESAS)

Economic Community of West African 2.9 10.1 7.8 12.2 States (ECOWAS)

Southern African Development 1.4 0.3 2.9 9.3 Community (SADC) Asia

Association of Southeast Asian Nations 19.7 16.9 18.7 22.2 (ASEAN)

Source: World Bank, 2001, and World Development Indicators 1998 (Washington, D.C.:World Bank. 1998,2001). The statistical figures given above show that about 9.8%, 11.4%, 9.3% and 13.2% of the foreign trade of these blocs in 1970, 1980, 1990 and 1999 respectively were within themselves and the rest 90.2%, 88.6%, 90.7% and 86.8% of their trade in those years respectively were with the developed 64 Political Economy of War and Want ...... countries. This gives an idea about the tremendous dependency of the Third World countries on developed countries for their exportable commodities; the developed countries taking advantage of this dependency puts the developing countries in an unfavorable situation in regard to the terms of trade. As a result it “has been found that there is a strong negative relationship between income terms of trade volatility and economic growth rates, confirming earlier studies that found a negative relationship between volatility in commodity terms of trade and economic growth” (Todaro, 1998, Pp.454-455)..21 This is unfair. Allāh says, “Woe unto the defrauders; those who when they make measure from mankind demand it full, but if they measure unto them or weigh for them, they cause them loss. Do such (men) not consider that they will be raised again unto an awful Day, the day when (all) mankind stand before the Benefactor of the Worlds?”83/1-5 In the face of such precarious condition of the developing countries vis-à-vis the developed countries and the firm position of the developed countries in the UN body – even if one does not wish to show disrespect to the UN by saying that it is now totally in the grip of the developed industrial countries or certain super power – UN could do little since the end of the Second World War for pulling up the newly independent countries from colossal darkness of misfortune resulting from the curse of long drawn colonial exploitation, even though to implement the multidirectional objectives expressed in the UN Charter, six different organs were formed, namely (i) The General Assembly, (ii) The Security Council, (iii) The Economic and Social Council, (iv) The International Court of Justice, (v) The Trusteeship Council and (vi) The Secretariat. This framework of the UN makes clear the idea of a World State. Functions like adoption of resolutions, their implementation, mitigation of disputes, running administration, discussion of economic and social problems and their solution are all associated with the functions of a Government. History of over more than fifty years of the UN in general and its 15-member Security Council with five permanent members – each with veto power – in particular is a history of a floating boat running to and fro across the Atlantic Ocean fanned by the two unavoidable counteracting Super Sails – the USA Russia, with the rest permanent three of the thirteen sails suringing, and the other nations of the UN body playing a musical chair in the air to catch wind for the ten useless chairs in the Security Council. The developing world of today are where they were at the beginning of the UN save and except with an exceptional few urban fortunate groups to whom accrued some sort of benefit in the developing countries; needless to say that these privileged groups were very faithful to the interests of the developed countries. History of the World Thoughts on Economics 65 bears testimony to the fact that all great ideas and all great religions were preached in the name of the poor and afterwards they either emerged as the property of the affluent or were thrown away by the affluent and the poor being unaware of that. “According to an estimate, 64 poor, underdeveloped and backward countries including Bangladesh owe $460 billion to the World Bank at present. Because of this reason in October [2003] there were widespread demonstrations in Honduras against the World Bank, as by this time the size of foreign debt of Honduras stood at $4.4 billion. As a result, the demonstrators demanded stoppage of all activities of international agencies including the IMF in Honduras. It is mentionable that at the time of Robert McNamara the number of poor people in the world was 1 billion; though it stands at 1.1 billion at present decreasing from 1.5 billion in the last two decades; it means that the number of poor people has increased. Actually a very few of the Third World countries could change their lot by taking loan from different donor groups including the World Bank and the IMF by this time; none of them could rise up the poverty level. In none of these, the opportunities of productivity and employment creation have risen up to the desired level. Rather an easy access to foreign loans has given rise to wretchedness and meanness among the people of different poor countries. On the other hand, such kind of international loans have given rise to a section of opportunists and greedy ones who take advantage of that. Such kind of international loans are to them nothing but ‘money found on the street’. By this time such loans and grants in Bangladesh stand at more or less Tk. 2000 billion ($33.3 billion). Yet, there were 33% of the population in the country above the poverty line, the rest were below; now it is doubtful whether 33% of the population are above the poverty line but lion share of the wealth is within their grip”(Lubdhak, dt. 22 October 2004. P.4). The bulk of the poor men of the world living in the rural areas do not know that billions of dollars are being spent on poverty alleviation by the rich nations or the UN through their neighboring urban rich men – here lies the problem22. A child is never born poor. The child is, remains and grows up as poor because it is borne in poverty, and its next door neighbor whose prosperity breeds upon its poverty does not care for poverty alleviation and the Poor’s wellbeing. Allāh says: “And let not thy hand be chained to thy neck nor open it with a complete opening, lest thou sit down rebuked, denuded.”17/29 Allāh warns: “Woe unto the idolaters, who give not the poor-due, and who are disbelievers in the Hereafter.”41/6-7 “And in their wealth the needy and the deprived had due share.”51/19 In one session of the ‘World Debate’ (on BBC 66 Political Economy of War and Want ...... world) many experts raised the question whether there is any utility of the World Bank as it exists at present. Many of the experts’ answered in the negative. Similar is the case with the IMF. With the breaking up of one of the Super Sails in the early nineties of the twentieth century, the UN has anchored on the western bank of the Atlantic and has manifestly become at the back and call of the remaining Super Sail. A single Super Sail has become more powerful than the remaining fourteen sails of the boat in the Security Council. The hopes and aspirations with which the UN was established at the end of the Second World War have already been tarnished with the passing out of more than half a century. A time has come for the people of the world to give a rethink to the legitimacy of the existence of the UN in its existing arrangement or to empower it with a new arrangement so that it can deliver the goods to the world public at large. The existence of a World Body can never be ruled out. The question now is how to make it an effective instrument for peace23, prosperity and security of every nation and individual citizen of the World. VI. Extension of the Russell Model of Peace to Root out Poverty 6.1 Russell Model for Global Peace In 1963, Bertrand Russell advocated the establishment of a World Government in his famous book Unarmed Victory (Pp.119-120) for a secure World through nuclear disarmament. In defense of his proposal he proceeded as follows: “The only ultimate and secure means of preventing wars employing methods of mass destruction is World Government. There are exactly the same reasons for World Government as there are for the internal governments of separate States. For prevention of private murder there is an elaborate machinery of police and criminal law. For the murder of one country by another, there is no such provision. If a world possessing scientific technique is to have any security of continued existence, there must be law in international relations and not only between private citizens of a State. And if international law is to have any reality, it must be backed by international force, just as national law is backed by national police. The first and most difficult measure required for an elective World Government is that it should possess armed forces obviously and indubitably capable of defeating any State or combination of States that might attempt to resist its authority. The World Government, therefore, will have a monopoly of all the major weapons of war. Thoughts on Economics 67

“ The armed forces of the World Government will have to be carefully constructed so as to avoid the possibility of groups forming within the armed forces who are wedded to this or that nation or ideology. This means that every fairly large group in the international armed force would have to be composed of individuals from many different nations and many different races. Only if this is done will it be possible to prevent the growth of contingent not loyal to the purpose of the international Government. “The international Government should possess the raw materials necessary for weapons of mass destruction. This would prevent the possibility of surreptitious production of such weapons by some rebellious State or group of States. “There should be international criminal law and international criminal courts. “ No treaty between States should be valid unless ratified by international legislature, which should have power to abrogate or modify any treaty between States which it considered to constitute a danger of war. “Broadly speaking, the powers of the international Government should be only such as are required for the prevention of war. In all other respects, constituent States should retain their autonomy. “The measures outlined above are, in part, difficult of acceptance and sure to meet with vehement opposition. Perhaps further experience of crises may make them acceptable, but perhaps our species will prefer to perish. A choice is before us. I do not venture to prophesy how we will choose” 6.2 Islamic Basis of Unity of Humankind To make the World Body beneficial to mankind it may be necessary to formulate its operational framework on the basis of Islam. Islam is a World Religion (Ehsan, 1995. P. 72). There are many verses in Al Qur’ân about the universality of Hazrat Muhammad (s). “I sent thee not save as a mercy for the people.”21/107 In another place Allāh says: “Blessed is He Who hath revealed unto his slaves the Criterion (of right and wrong), that he may be a Warner to the peoples.”25/1 “He hath revealed unto thee (Mohammad) the Scripture with truth, confirming the Scripture before it, and He revealed the Torah and the Ingil aforetime, for guidance to mankind; and He hath revealed the Criterion (of right and wrong). Those who disbelieve the revelations of Allāh, theirs will be a heavy doom. Allāh is Mighty, Able to requite (the wrong).”3/3-4 “And strive for Allāh with the endeavor which is His right. He hath chosen you and hath not laid upon you in religion any hardship; the faith of your father Abraham (is yours). He hath named you Muslims of old time and in this 68 Political Economy of War and Want ......

(Scripture) that the messenger may be a witness against you, and that ye may be witness against mankind. So establish worship, pay the poor-due, and hold fast to Allāh. He is your Protecting Friend, a blessed Patron and a blessed Helper!”22/78 “Thus I have appointed you a middle24 nation, that ye may be witness against mankind, and that the messenger may be a witness25 against you.”2/143 “And unto thee have I revealed the Scripture with the truth, confirming whatever Scripture was before it, and a watcher over it. So judge between them by that which Allāh hath revealed, and follow not their desires away from truth which hath come unto thee. For each I have appointed a divine law and traced-out way. Had Allāh willed He could have made you one community, but He wished to try you by that which He hath given you. So vie one with another in good works. Unto Allāh ye will all return. Then He will inform you of that wherein ye differ, so judge between them by that which Allāh hath revealed, and follow not their desires, but beware of them lest they seduce thee from some part of that which Allāh hath revealed unto thee. And if they turn away, then know that Allāh’s will is to smite them for some sin of theirs and many of mankind is evil-livers. Is it a judgment of the time of (pagan) ignorance26 that they are seeking? Who is better than Allāh for judgment to a people who have certainty in their belief?”5/48-50 Allāh also says that: “O mankind! Be careful of your duty to your Benefactor Who created you from a single soul and from it created its mate and from them twain hath spread about a multitude of men and women; be careful of your duty toward Allāh in Whom ye claim (your rights) of one another, and toward the bondage of kinship. Verily Allāh hath been a Watcher over you.”4/1“O mankind! I have created you from a male and a female, and have made you nations and tribes that ye may know one another. The noblest of you, in the sight of Allāh, is the best in conduct. Verily! Allāh is Knower, Aware.”49/13 Moreover it is Hazrat Muhammad (s) alone every tidbits of whose life is in record beautifully in elaboration and accomplishment. An analysis of his life style makes it clear that he is different from other ordinary men though he did never claim that. No petty nationalistic ideals can be detected in him. He was a humanitarian and all his deliberations are dedicated to the welfare of the mankind at large. His speeches, statements, and addresses are all adorned with the elements of universality. He used to look at humankind as one nation. He did never in his life differentiate between lineage, clan, class, rich, poor, mean fellow, white or black, Arab and non-Arab, East and West. Never in his life had he made a single deliberation or utterance which may give evidence that he favoured any race of a particular region over the humankind at large. Thoughts on Economics 69

Rather the message of his farewell Hajj has been accepted as a Sanad of universal human rights (Ehsan, 1995, P. 73). 6.3 Extension of the Russell Model of Peace for Global Prosperity Russell’s concern was only for world peace at a time, when “there would cease to be any to enjoy the poetry of Shakespeare, the music of Bach or Mozart, the genius of Plato or Newton” in the face of brinkmanship between the USA and the USSR in the early sixties over Cuba and the bitter Sino- Indian war at that time over the McMahon line. Since then much water has run down all the major rivers of the World and their waters at the same time got much more polluted and the Volga has by now found a place within the so called “Free World” and the question of today, as it was in the past, is not frictions among the “superior” nations which used to alarm the global public of Russell’s day. Today’s problem of concern is not world peace alone, added to this is the problem of massive and sophisticated arms build up by “superior” nations and their extension of greedy hands towards the valuable natural non- renewable resources of the weaker nations in the face of abject poverty that the majority of the world people are subjected to. Today’s problem is to ensure peace, progress, security and equity in the standard of life and harmonious distribution of the fruits of the advancement of science and technology among the people of the world so that the restlessness that haunts the mind of modern humankind settles in peace. For the satisfaction of this goal for humankind, something more is necessary than mere material pursuits, and Islam provides that extra something for prosperity of the humankind beyond material progress27. Material progress has failed to pacify the minds of the people of the prosperous nations; instead, it has given rise to greed, hatred and callousness.28 Islam advises mankind to remain satisfied with a small amount of mundane matter. Hazrat Muhammad (s) said: “Fear Allah and patiently search for livelihood. Do not make haste in earning money and refrain from boundless greed” (Gazzali, 1996, Vol.3. P. 164). In a 2004 US Presidential election campaign speech in Pennsylvania State in Democratic candidate John Kerry’s favor former President and immediate predecessor of George W. Bush, William J. Clinton said: “The Democrats believe in a foreign policy of sharing of every responsibility and opportunity with all countries of the world” (The Daily Ittefaq, 27 October 2004. P.2. Col.2).29 It is not sure how much importance should one ascribe to such an utterance of a former President in favor of his Party’s candidate in an election campaign and whether one should take it in the spirit of the seriousness of purpose with which the World public need it, but the fact is that today’s World 70 Political Economy of War and Want ...... needs that such utterances be made by every Head of State of every country of the World with seriousness, sincerity and with a sense of purpose and they do actually mean it as they say so, because Allāh says in Al Qur’ân that: “And in their wealth the needy and the deprived had due share.”51/19 The question is how to achieve such a World order so that “sharing of every responsibility and opportunity with all countries of the world” is possible. Russell proposed a World Government for World peace; the same concept may be extended for the achievement of a wider goal of peace, prosperity and progress of mankind in the Twenty-first Century based on rational religious ideals of Islam. 6.4 Measures to be taken in the Extended Model The following measures may be taken to minimize human misery and bring equity in the standard of living among the people and peace in the globe so that each and every citizen of the world may taste the fruits of the achievement of modern science and technology and their application to the natural resource endowment made by Allāh – “He it is who created for you all that is in the earth.”2/29 A) Establishment of a Global or World Federal Government on the principle: “Praise be to Allāh, Benefactor of the Worlds, the Beneficent, the Merciful, Owner of the Day of Judgment.”1/1-3 “Say he is Allāh, the One!”113/1Allāh also says: “Say: O Allāh! Owner of Sovereignty! Thou givest sovereignty unto him Thou wilt, and Thou withdrawest sovereignty from whom thou wilt; Thou exalteth whom Thou wilt and Thou abaseth whom Thou wilt. In thy hand is the good. Verily Thou art Able to do things.”3/26 Allāh also says: “He it is who hath made you regents in the earth. So he who disbelieveth, his disbelief is on his own head.”35/39 Allāh also says: “Mankind was one community. Then Allāh sent Prophets as bearers of good tidings as warners. Revealed therewith the Scripture with the truth that it might judge between mankind concerning that wherein they differed and only those unto whom (the Scripture) was given concerning it, after clear proofs had come unto them, they differed through hatred one of another. Allāh by His will guided those who believe unto the truth of that concerning which they differed. Allāh guideth whom He will unto a straight path.”2/213 B)Transferring the ownership of all non-renewable natural resources30 at the disposal of the Global Federal Government in the belief that: “There is not a living being in the earth but the sustenance thereof dependeth on Allah. He Thoughts on Economics 71 knoweth its habitation and repository; all is in a clear record.”11/6 Allāh says: “And in their wealth the needy and the deprived had due share.”51/19 C) Transferring the conventional and nuclear weapons of different states at the disposal of the Global Federal Government for their eventual destruction; so that the necessity of building those war weapons does not arise again. Transferring of all military personnel at the disposal of the Global Government for eventual demilitarization and disarmament of the World with a purpose as Allāh says: “But do search the abode of the Hereafter in that which Allāh hath given thee and neglect not thy portion of the world, and be thou kind even as Allāh hath been kind to thee, and seek not confusion in the earth. Allāh loveth not confusion makers.”28/77 Thereby a huge amount of money (about a Trillion US Dollars per year) that is spent on military build up around the Globe will be released to spend them for the eradication of poverty of the Global have-nots. D) Formation of a Global Federal Parliament consisting of proportionate elected representatives from all nation states31 according to their size of population. These representatives will elect the executive Head of the Global Government who will rule the world on behalf of Allāh as per the dictates of Al Qur’ân and Sunnah. Al Qur’ân reveals: “Allāh will not give the disbelievers any way (of success) against the believers.”4/141 Allāh also reminds that: “If any of the idolaters seeketh thy protection, then protect him so that he may hear the words of Allāh, and afterward convey him to his place of safety; that is because they are a folk who know not.”9/6 E) Non-Muslim countries and non-Muslims in Muslim countries shall enjoy equal (Haikal, 2001. P.494) rights as the Muslim countries or Muslim citizens according to the dictates of Islam. Hazrat Muhammad (s) said that: “Be careful! If anybody extorts any Mu’āeed (appropriated to the contract) or given him less than his due or burdens him with any work beyond his capacity or takes away anything from him by force, then I will take his side in the day of resurrection”(Hadith: Abu Daud). If any Muslim slaughters a non-Muslim that is appropriated to the contract even after such deed is prohibited then he will also be slaughtered in recompensation (Bakr, 2003, Vol. 4. P. 350). F) In other relevant matters each nation of the world will retain its autonomy under the conditions expressed by Russell in his proposal for World Government. G) Global Federal Government will build up its own civil security forces and service personnel from among the eligible citizens of different nations based 72 Political Economy of War and Want ...... on the principle as Allāh says: “If they incline to peace, incline thou also to it, and trust in Allāh. Verily! He is the Hearer, the Knower.”8/61 H) The seat of the Global Government may be in any of the Middle Eastern countries which are the central place of the World connecting three continents videlicet Asia, Africa and Europe and nearer the poor nations whose prosperity will be the prime concern of the Global Federal Government. I) A Global Master Plan similar to the Marshall Plan which was formulated and implemented for the reconstruction of the war ravaged Europe may have to be launched so that all poor nations and their every citizen can be raised up to the level of prosperity which the citizens of the rich nations enjoy, within the shortest possible time say within a decade or so.32 This is possible through Global redistribution of population and resources (Todaro, 1998, P. 226, 662. Chapter 6 & 18) making way as Allāh says: “while others travel in countries (in the earth) in search of Allāh’s bounty.”73/20 J) Movements of goods, services, capital, other resources, men and women, and trade and commerce may be free among the nations under the Global Federal Government33 according to the principle as Allāh says: “When the prayer is ended, then disperse in the earth and seek Allāh’s bounty, and remember Allāh much, that ye may be successful.”62/10 K) The existing organs and bodies of the UN may be retained or reformed as required as organs and bodies of the different relevant Ministries of the Global Government and a Global Parliament will substitute the General Assembly of the UN Organization. The Council of Ministers of the Global Federal Government will substitute the Security Council of the UN Organization devoid of any veto power by any of the constituent nations. The UN Organization as it exists now will become redundant. L) A special Ministry for the eradication of global poverty may have to be formed with special power so that equity in the standard of living of the global citizens may be brought about within the shortest possible time. This will be the first priority of the Global Federal Government and all possible resources and technical know-how will have to be released to achieve that goal within the specified time. Al Qur’ân reveals, “Allāh hath favoured some of you above others in provision. Now those who are more favoured will by no means hand over their provision to those (slaves) whom their right hand possesses, so that they may be equal with them in respect thereof. Is it then the grace of Allāh that they deny?”16/71 Thoughts on Economics 73

M) Measures may have to be taken to prevent wastage and extravagant habit of the people of the now developed nations in the interest of pulling up the poor people of the world from the abyss of poverty through diverting resources for creating job opportunities for the poor as per the dictates of Allāh: “That which Allāh giveth unto His messenger from the people of the townships, it is for Allāh and His messenger34 and for the near of kin and orphans and the needy and wayfarer, that it become not a commodity between the rich among you. And whatsoever the messenger giveth you, take it. And whatsoever he forbideth abstain (from it). And keep your duty to Allāh. Allāh is stern in reprisal.”59/7 Allāh also says: “Give the kinsman his due, and the needy, and the wayfarer, and squander not (thy wealth) in wantonness. Verily! the squanderers were ever brothers of the devils and the devil was ever an ingrate to his Benefactor.”17/26-27 Allāh advices the Muslims: “Ye are the best community that hath been raised up for mankind. Ye enjoin right conduct and forbid indecency; and ye believe in Allāh.”3/110 N) A Global Constitution as per the socio-cultural and politico-economic requirements of different component nations may be framed which should not include any clause repugnant to Al Qur’ân and Sunnah. Allāh says: “It was not (given) to any messenger that he should bring a portent save by Allāh’s leave. For everything there is a time prescribed.”13/38 Allāh also says: “There is no compulsion in religion. The right direction is henceforth distinct from error. And he who rejecteth false deities and believeth in Allāh hath grasped a firm hand which will never break. Allāh is Hearer, Knower.”2/256 O)Religious teaching for building qualified mankind on the basis of religious piety and morality should be compulsory throughout the Globe. The current cultural anarchy in the name of materialistic westernization will have to be stopped. Allāh says: “I verily created man and I know what his soul whispereth to him. I am nearer to him than his jugular vein.”50/16 Allāh also says: “Evil is that for which they sell their souls.”2/90 Religious teaching will be on the basis as Allāh says: “Say: O disbelievers! Neither I worship that which ye worship nor do ye worship that which I worship. And I shall not worship that which ye worship. Nor will ye worship that which I worship; unto you your religion and unto me my religion.”109/1-6 Allāh warns: “O People of the Scripture! Do not exaggerate in your religion nor utter aught concerning Allāh save the truth.”4/171 P) Additional laws and canons may have to be enacted to meet the requirements of various component autonomous nations but none of these should contradict the basic teachings of Al Qur’ân and Sunnah that: “And I 74 Political Economy of War and Want ...... task not any soul beyond its scope, and with Me is a Record which speaketh the truth, they will not be extorted.”33/62 Allāh also says: “Accepting those of the idolaters with whom ye (Muslims) have a treaty, and who have since abated nothing of your right nor have supported anyone against you, fulfill their treaty to them till their term. Verily! Allāh loveth them who keep their duty unto Him.”9/4 Other appropriate lawful arrangements for proper functioning of the Global State ensuring the requisite autonomy to each individual country may have to be made with the consensus of opinions and hopes and aspirations of the people of the countries concerned on the basis of the teachings of Al Qur’ân and Sunnah. 6. 5 Acceptability of the Extended Model As regards the propositions made in this Article, one may express concern as, borrowing words from Russell’s Unarmed Victory, “The measures outlined above are, in part, difficult of acceptance and sure to meet with vehement opposition. Perhaps further experience of crises may make them acceptable, but perhaps our species will prefer to perish. A choice is before us. I do not venture to prophesy how we will choose” (Russell, 1963, P.120). May be, it is not the desire of Allāh too, Al Qur’ân reveals: “Had Allāh willed He could have made you (all) one nation, but He sendeth whom He will astray and guideth whom He will, and ye will indeed be asked of what ye used to do.”16/93 Nevertheless, Al Qur’ân also reveals that: “Allāh hath promised such of you as believe and do good works that He will surely make them to succeed (the present rulers) in the earth even as He caused those who were before them to succeed (others); and that He will surely establish for them, and will give them in exchange safety after their fear. They serve Me. They ascribe nothing as partner unto Me. Those who disbelieve henceforth, they are the miscreants. Establish worship and pay the poor-due and obey the messenger, that haply ye may find mercy.”24/55-56 Here lies the hope.

VII. Concluding Remarks It is necessary to bear in mind that Al Qur’ân is neither a book on economics nor on politics though the subject matter of Al Qur’ân, the Encyclopedia of knowledge, together with Al Hadith embraces the entire gamut of human life- conduct. Even then quite rightly, Allāh says that: “of knowledge ye have been vouchsafed but little.”17/85 Al Qur’ân and Sunnah in their totality provides a Thoughts on Economics 75 broad guideline as to what sort of socio-politico-economic conduct one is to follow in his everyday personal, social, national and international life for peace and progress Here and success in the Hereafter. To sum up, the purpose of the Global State and Global Federal Government will be to make the World free from War, Want, Unemployment, Hunger, Illiteracy, Ill-health, Subordination and Suppression of man by man and of one nation by another, and the dominance of material pursuits over spiritual, moral and ethical attainment id est. free from mundane fear and anxiety. Human dream to wipe out hatred, envy, blow and counter-blow, want of peace from the world remains dream for ages. Hunger, poverty, exploitation, oppression, and disparity still exist in the world. Human beings are still subjected to persecution and coercion in diverse ways. People are still haunted by poverty and deprivation in many parts of the planet earth. In many countries, dreams of the people have not been realized even after the acquisition of independence from colonial rule; people have not yet received what they aspired to get. Many of their dreams and aspirations have remained unfulfilled. Many people in different countries are still passing their life in hunger and boundless poverty; their basic needs like food, shelter, education and work have not yet been met. This is the scenario in totality of this planet even after much economic development and prosperity till today. All of these are the product of materialistic pursuit of humankind, and only human pursuit resuscitated by religious moral and ethical values may solve such problems under the rule of a single world authority as described above. Global Federal Government will ensure Mankind the freedom to fear Allāh alone. Mankind will be held responsible for its own destiny since the Al Qur’ânic revelation is: “Allāh changeth not the condition of a folk until they (first) change that which is in their hearts.”13/11 Allāh reminds and advises mankind that: “And remember how He made you viceroy after A‘âd and gave you station in the earth. Ye choose castle in the plains and hew the mountains into dwellings. So remember (all) the bounties of Allāh and do not evil, making mischief in the earth.”7/74 That is the key to global success.

NOTES & REFERENCES [Translated Qur’ânic verses are from ‘The Meaning of the Glorious Koran’ by Mohammad Marmaduke Pickthal published by the New American Library, New York and Toronto, modified by the Author of this Article, wherever necessary, following Al-Qur’ânul Karim, the Bengali version of Al Qur’ân including the original Text, by the Islamic Foundation Bangladesh, Dhaka 1999. The Qur’ânic verse 76 Political Economy of War and Want ...... numbers are those of the original text. The fragments of sentences and Qur’ânic verses inserted within quotations put in square brackets and other translations, wherever made from Bengali, are the Author’s own.] A. NOTES 01. “The notion of cosmopolitan wealth is indeed nothing more than that of national wealth extended over the whole area of the globe.” Marshall, 1962, Pp. 45-52. 02. Some good deeds exist even after death, videlicet well breeding honest children, honest teachings or such public welfare activities; such good deeds are termed as enduring activities. Vide Al-Qur’ânul Karim, 1999, footnote 959.P.465. 03. About the origin of Mankind even the former non-Muslim President of India Gayni Jail Singh (a follower of Guru Nanak) rejected the Darwinian concept of Evolution in his speech in an International Conference of the Anthropologist in the University of Punjab in September 1986 saying, “ You say mankind are descent of ape. May be it is you, but not I am. These are all false theory fashioned by you. Had humankind been the descent of ape, then tell me parakeets are whose descent? How did it come into being? How do their beak and green wings remain the same for thousands of years? Why did they not change into apes or men? If it is that apes changed and their tail dropped off and thereafter they changed into men, then how is it possible that the ape- lineage do still exist? All apes would have been changed into men by this time. Look at the caves of Ajanta and Elora. Look at the images of Buddha there. His face is more beautiful than mine. Was he also a descent of an ape!” The quoted portion has been translated from a Bengali article entitled Saranagati (Passage of Remembrance) by Subimal Misra. Vide. Ghose, Robin, ed. 1986, P. 149. 04. “i.e. “The Surrender” to Allāh. Thus solemnly the religion which the Prophet had established received its name.” Vide Pickthal, Footnote 2, P.96. 05. Spidchenko, 1982. P. 11. Paul, Goutam, 1999. Pp. 136-142. 06. Table XII gives an idea about the total water and its percentage distribution among the various sources of water, both saline and sweet, on the surface, ground, and air in the earth.

Table XII: Percentage distribution of the various sources of Water Thoughts on Economics 77

Total Water About 359x1018 Gallons *Sea Water 97% Gallons *Sweet Water 3% Distribution of Sweet water *Glacier and Ice cover 75% *Ground Water 24.575% *Lakes 0.3% *Soil 0.06% *Air 0.035% *Rivers 0.03%

Source: Paul, 1999. P.149-150. (A minor correction has been made by the author of this Article in the figure of Ground water.) 07. Table XIII gives an idea about the amount of yearly evaporation and precipitation. Table XIII: Amount of yearly Evaporation and Precipitation Amount of Yearly Evaporation and Precipitation

Ocean/Continent Evaporation Cm/Year Precipitation Cm/Year

Ocean Atlantic 144 78 Indian 138 101 Pacific 114 121 The Arctic Religion 12 24 Average 102 81 Continent Asia 39 60 Europe 36 60 Africa 51 60 North America 40 76 South America 86 135 Australia & Antarctica 41 50 Average 49 73

Source: Paul, 1999Pp. 153-154. Cm/Year means cyclic migration per Year, while 1Unit equals 1013 m3/ Year. Ibid. P.154. 08. The following are the Oceanic resources of the world by Type and Stock. Biological Resources: 60.00 billion tons. Oil: 1400.00 billion tons. Power generated by Ebb and Flow of Tide: 1.00 billion kilowatt. Large Sea-ports (In numbers): 1600. Small Sea-Ports: 5500. (Source: Spidchenko, K. Ibid. P. 25.) 78 Political Economy of War and Want ......

09. The following are the Types of Resources Measured in per Cubic miles of Sea Water. Salt: 117 million tons. Magnesium: 6 million tons. Bromine: 300,000 tons. Silver: 15 tons. Uranium: 70 tons. Copper: 450 tons. Iron: 900 tons. Iodine: 2200 tons. Source: Sorensen, 1964. P. 11. 10. For details, see World Bank, World Development Report, 2002 (New York: Oxford University Press, 2001), Tabs 1 and 1a; World Bank, World Development Indicators (Washington, D.C.: World Bank, 2001), Tabs. 1.1 and 1.6. 11. There are differences of opinion regarding the explanation of this verse. Vide. Footnote. Rahman, Hifzur 1998. P.23. The Author of this Article consulted the Bengali version of Tafhimul Quran by Maududi, 1999.Vol. 7. Pp.6 1-62. 12. In an Islamic State the Khalifa performs the duty of the State on behalf of Allāh; realizing this full well, Hazrat Omar (r) said, “Even if a baby goat is lost in the bank of For’āt, I am afraid, Allāh may perhaps make me answerable for that also.” Vide. Dainandin Jibone Islam 2000. P.554. Quoted from Kanzul Ummal. Vol.5. 13. Al Qur’ân reveals “ And that man hath only that for which he maketh effort, and that his effort will be seen in no time, then afterward he will be repaid for with fullest payment, and that thy Benefactor, He is the goal. And that He it is Who maketh laugh, and maketh weep, and that He it is Who giveth death and giveth life; and that He creareth the two spouses, the male and the female, from a drop (of seed) when it is poured forth; and that He hath ordained the second bringing forth; and that He it is Who enricheth and contenteth and that He it is Who is the Benefactor of Sirius”53/39-49 and also “He knoweth that which is in front of them and that which is behind them, while they encompass nothing of His knowledge save what He will.”2/255 14. For detailed statistics on the consumption of energy per capita in 1992, see Palm Woodall. “The global economy: War of the words,” Economist, October 1, 1994, Tab. 15. 15. The believers were not permitted for 13 years to resist even though they were subjected to unspeakable atrocities by the non-believers in Mecca. After their Hizrat (departure) to Medina the believers were permitted to resist by the revelation of this Qur’ânic verse. Vide. Al-Qur’ânul Karim, 1999. P.536. Foot note 1137. 16. “The poverty line is $1.08 a day at 1993 PPP. Poverty estimates are based on income or consumption data from the countries in each region for which at least one survey was available during 1985-1998”. Todaro-Smith, 2008, P. 54. 17. The group was composed of Alberto Baltra Cortez, Professor of Economics, National University of Chile; D.R. Gadgil, Director, Gokhale Institute of Thoughts on Economics 79

Politics and Economics, Poona, India; George Hakim, Counselor, Legation of Lebanon, Washington, D.C.; W. Arthur Lewis, Professor of Political Economy, University of Manchester, England; and Theodore W. Shultz, Chairman, Department of Economics, University of Chicago, U.S.A. At the request of the group, George Hakim served as Chairman. Vide. United Nations, 1951, P. iii. 18. Here we may remember what Allāh says in Al Qur’ân as regards balancing of groups in the world so that the world is not reduced to chaos: “If Allāh had not repelled some men by others the earth would have been reduced to chaos. But Allāh is Kind to the universe.”2/251 The contemporary rise of individual, group or state terrorism is probably the result of the breaking up of the balance of power in the world. Allāh also says, “Confusion doth appear on land and sea because of (the evil) which men’s hands have done, that He may make them taste a part of that what they have done, in order that they may return.”30/41 19. The Gini coefficients are high in the case of developing countries, indicating high levels of income inequality. Vide. Todaro, 1999, P. 149. 20. Griffin, 1969, P. 47. Also, see Nuruzzaman, 1986, about the attitude of some did-giving international NGOs. 21. “An instance of the difficulties involved is the contention that over the last fifty to seventy-five years the terms of trade have improved for developed as against underdeveloped countries. The explanation of this deterioration has been held to be inelastic supply condition in agricultural countries and an inelastic demand for raw materials and food in developed countries”. Vide. Harris, 1957. P. 47. 22. “We find for example, that about two-thirds of the very poor scratch out their livelihood from subsistence agriculture either as small farmers or as low-paid farm workers. Some of the remaining one-third are also located in rural areas but engaged in petty services, and others are located on the fringes and marginal areas of urban centers where they engage in various forms of self employment such as street-hawking, petty services, and small-scale commerce. On the average, we may conclude that in Africa and Asia, about 80% to 90% of all target poverty groups are in the rural areas, as about 50% in Latin America.” Vide. Todaro, 1998, Pp. 155-156. 23. In addition to the bypassing of the UN by a single Super Power in the question of peace, Iraq and other issues, one might curiously remember the role played by this Super Power in the UN in early sixties during the Cuban crisis. When Castro asked U Thant to mediate, the U.S. refused to accept the United Nations as mediators. U.N. inspection on American soil did not appeal to the U.S. Government. Vide. Russell, 1963. P. 49. 24. Middle course is the best course as explained in the Hadith. Extremism in either soft or hard is avoidable. Vide. Al-Qur’ânul Karim, 1999. P.35. Foot note 100. 80 Political Economy of War and Want ......

25. In the day of resurrection the followers of Noah (a) will say: “There came no warners unto us.” Then Noah (a) will say: “I delivered them with the message of righteousness, Hazrat Muhammad (s) and his followers are witness”- Bukhari. Vide. Al-Qur’ânul Karim, 1999. P.35. Foot note 101. 26. “Hazrat Muhammad was born at a time when the entire World was full of misdeed and under the rule of wicked men.” Bhattacharia , 1997. P.62. 27. “But seek the abode of Hereafter in that which Allāh hath given thee and neglect not thy portion of the world, and be thou kind even as Allāh hath been kind to thee, and seek not confusion in the earth; Allāh loveth not the confusion makers.”28/77 “Making peace with Allāh is complete surrender to His Wishes. Making peace with man means whiling away of life such that it does not cause spoilt to peace among mankind.”- Bukhari 2/3. Quoted by Rahman, Mustafizur, 1998. P. 178. “Systems have passed away before you. Do but travel in the land and see the nature of consequence for those who took the shelter of lie.”3/137 “Lurk not on every road to threaten (wayfarers), and to turn away from Allāh’s path him who believed in Him, and to seek to make it crooked. And remember, when ye were but few, how Allāh did multiply you. And see the nature of the consequence for those who throw into confusion.”7/86 “Say (unto them, O Muhammad): Travel in the land and see the nature of the sequel for the guilty!”27/69 28. Al Qur’ân reveals: “O ye who believe! Let not your wealth nor do your children distract you from remembrance of Allāh. Those who do so, they are losers.”63/9 The acquisition of wealth has been discouraged and at the same time encouraged in Islam, both for the cause of remembrance of Allāh. It is said, “Aware of that, there are many branches of worldly affairs, among them wealth is the one and other is honor-dignity and splendor. There are many branches other than these, but among all of these lust for wealth is the prime cause of danger. Nothing else can do harm to the soul to the extent that this can do.” On the other hand wealth may accrue benefit to its owner here and the hereafter also. As regards benefits of wealth is that it can facilitate its owner to perform Hajj, give alms to the needy and spend in the way of Allāh. Hazrat Muhammad (s) said: “Whom Allāh has blessed by His kindness showing the way to Islam, and bestowed with the amount of wealth just enough to absolve need, and he too got satisfied with that – such a man is the fortunate one.” Gazzali, 1996, Vol.3. P. 152-193. 29. The realization of such objective is possible and permissible in Islam in the form of Wakf. Vide.Bakr, 2003. Vol. 2. Pp. 543-556. Wakf means handing over ownership to Allāh for the common benefit of mankind at large. As we know in every religion such customs are prevalent. This may be realized by handing over resources possessed by different nations or nationals of different nations in the hands of a common custodian of the mankind on behalf of Allāh so that Thoughts on Economics 81

“the property becomes clean for the ownership of Allāh”. Vide, Bakr, 2003, P.545. foot note 1. and P. 555. A complicacy may arise with respect to the Buddhist and the communities whose creed is based on atheism; but it should not pose a serious problem if for the benefit of mankind, which they aspire too, at large and for their own benefit they also follow nations and nationals of other religious communities of the world. 30. Such properties are considered as Faye in Islam. Vide.Dainandin Jibone Islam, 2000, P.506. Because these are not gained as a result of war, and will be spent for the benefit and welfare of the citizens of the Global State. About such wealth Al Qur’ân reveals: “And that which Allāh giveth as Faye unto His messenger from Joes, ye urged not any horse or riding-camel for the sake thereof, but Allāh giveth His messengers authority over whom He will. Allāh is able to do all things.”59/6 31. Contrary to the Marxian concept, the state will not wither away in this case as Islam allows private ownership of property, but Islam warns “to be harmed (yourself) and to cause harm to (other) is ultra vires”. Vide. Both , Marx and Engels, 1962. Vol. II.Pp.42, 150-151, 155, 332, and Dainandin Jibone Islam, 2000, P.482. 32. About the success of the Marshall Plan Eisenhower notes that “One of the principal reasons for the success of the Marshall Plan was that the great expenditures [$13.6 billion within around four years] of the United States went to rebuild and restore countries sharing a common Western civilization, countries substantially similar to ours in traditions and practices. We were to learn later that in assisting the historically undeveloped or underdeveloped areas of the world, the United States would encounter a different problem – that of helping to create educational, social, and political administrative foundations for economic progress which had never before existed. ”Vide. Eisenhower, 1965. P. 116-117. It was probably true fifty years ago for the United States but feasible at the beginning of the Twenty First century for a Global Government based on the Principal of Islam within a decade or so. 33. It will be not in the spirit as Marx said: “In a word, the Free Trade system hastens the Social Revolution. In this revolutionary sense alone, gentlemen, I am in favor of Free Trade. Vide. Marx, 1975. P. 207. Rather in the spirit that: “O ye who believe ! Squander not your wealth among yourselves in vanity, except it be a trade by mutual consent, and kill not one another. Verily Allāh is ever Merciful unto you.”4/29 34. Here messenger means the State. Vide. Pickthal, P. 393. Foot note.

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