9 Measures

What would be the Azadism-based demands?

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First, the government should provide a non-commodity related safety net through the NIT. This should be a replacement to existing programs and government schemes, not an addition to them. The aim is reduce reliance, not increase it by letting the state decide how they should spend their money.

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Second, the link between the public and private sectors must be broken, a relationship that poisons both parties at the people’s expense.

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Third, the government needs to stop creating perverse incentives through price manipulation.

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Forth, harsh punishments should be handed out to those who are caught lobbying (now legally considered bribery) or using corporate political activity to gain favours from the state. So harsh should be these punishments that the first convicts should act as an active deterrent for this behaviour. But by also curbing the power of state to influence the economy, the incentive to use them as a tool for your own gain diminishes anyway.

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Fifth, a real justice system reform needs to take place, perhaps taking lessons from other nations, so that confidence can be held in the judicial process and that criminals who break the law will be punished.

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Sixth, through leveraging blockchain technology, smart contracts could be employed to help facilitate clear and fair contracts without the need for potentially biased third parties. Any artificial restrictions set by government in this sector should be removed.

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Seventh, the people themselves, including NRIs and OCIs should make a private effort to invest back in their homeland, showing real monetary support for Indians by contributing to the economy and creating new industries. Invest not just money, but also knowledge. Experienced professionals who are nearing retirement should be going back to Punjab to teach what they learnt in the west. Wherever possible, hire talent in Punjab, especially roles related to IT which can be done remotely. If you are working and becoming stable, don’t get married and then move out of your parents house. Transfer ownership of the property to you, and send them back to Punjab

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Eighth, Punjabis should seek to educate themselves in skills people are willing to pay for. This many farmers are not needed, and having so much of the population reliant on one sector is a recipe for disaster. Diversify, and those who are left should be encouraged to use more efficient technology and farming techniques that removes the need for so much labour and effort. These things will naturally arise when the government gets out of people’s way and allows the sectors to innovate themselves. The only support the state needs to provide is maintaining a free and fair market via a functioning justice and defence system and a safety net in the form of basic income only. No state programs are needed, especially when they are so prone to corruption and inefficiency. These should be our demands.

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Ninth, denationalisation and removal of state intervention in the financial system. Central Banks manipulating interest rates and creating artificial inflation is the source of many of the issues in economies around the world. Whilst this publication will not detail this further, a later write-up on this topic may be explored in more detail in future. However, the effects of this measure would be increasing private competition in the banking sector so that fairer interest rates, based on market forces can be offered on loans and deposits. Access to financial services such as investments would also be beneficial for low income earners to help grow their wealth. Alongside banking, insurance industry would also be promoted via a more fair and competitive system. This way farmers could more easily apply for crop insurance at better rates. Even individuals across the world can choose to take on the risk and invest in farmers by offering these insurances in return for a fixed monthly payment.

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Once these things start coming into effect, the removal of the state mandi system can begin. The solution here isn’t more government intervention, it’s less. The governments are merely servants of the people, not the other way around. By adopting an Azadist approach we can shift the balance of power into the hands of the people and remind them of their rightful place.

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Endnotes

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Granted, many families situations are different and may not be able to accommodate this. But if your parents are always saying how the UK and the West is horrible and Punjab is home etc, then tell them to put their money where their mouth is. And don’t worry, you are not sending them to Gulags, they can come and go whenever they like. Your personal income should accommodate for this. Aim to get yourself in a position like this early so you can help your parents out financially. Perhaps, do six-months here and six there split. Work it out.

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