Development economics based on natural law: A comprehensive solution to the five faces of poverty through the principles of Maharishi's program to eliminate poverty in the world (Maharishi Mahesh Yogi)

Poverty plagues the world, causing extreme suffering for millions of men, women, and children. Governments and institution have striven to eradicate world poverty in the last fifty years with continued overall failure. Despite poverty alleviation efforts, the number of people living in abject poverty in the last decade has increased by 100 million with a fifth (1.2 billion) living below the poverty line for developing nations of {dollar}1 a day and almost half (2.8 billion) living on less than {dollar}2 a day. Understanding five primary faces of poverty---(1) material well-being, (2) health, (3) education, (4) vulnerability, and (5) powerlessness---highlights the need for a comprehensive solution.; This study analyzes a new paradigm toward development economics presented by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. It reviews Maharishi's Program to Eliminate Poverty in the World in light of the five faces of poverty. Maharishi's program offers a unique approach to permanently eradicate world poverty through Consciousness-Based, Natural Law-Based, human and agricultural development. Maharishi locates the source of poverty in violation of Natural Law caused by lack of adequate education. The solution lies in Consciousness-Based education, which teaches all disciplines of knowledge in light of the experience and understanding of the Unified Field of Natural Law, pure consciousness, the Self. The program addresses poverty through Maharishi Vedic Economy, emphasizing the development of individual consciousness toward higher states of consciousness and developing coherence in collective consciousness to train the poor to function in harmony with Natural Law. Scientific research documenting the effectiveness of Maharishi Vedic Technologies---the Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi programs and the Maharishi Effect---is summarized for each face of poverty, supporting the program's Consciousness-Based human and agricultural development approaches toward poverty removal.; This dissertation identifies 11 key principles of Maharishi Vedic Economy and the strengths and opportunities of Maharishi's program. It contrasts principles of the program with principles from development economics. The analysis concludes that Maharishi's program, based on fundamental Vedic Principles, provides a comprehensive and synergistic approach toward eradicating the five faces of poverty. Maharishi's Program to Eliminate Poverty in the World is recommended to every nation, particularly those suffering abject poverty.