Ravi Batra: Difference between revisions

In 1963, Batra met his mentor, P.R. Sarkar (1921&ndash;1990), also known as [[Shrii Shrii Anandamurti]] to disciples of the socio-spiritual movement [[Ananda Marga]] (Path of Bliss), and after establishing himself in his chosen field, he decided to branch out by contributing to his mentor's work.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nytimes.com/1987/08/30/business/depression-guru-ravi-batra-economist-or-mystic-tune-in-around-1990-to-find-out.html?scp=3&sq=Ravi%20Batra&st=cse |title=DEPRESSION GURU: RAVI BATRA; Economist or Mystic? |publisher=New York Times |accessdate=2011-08-01 |date=1987-08-30 |first=Thomas C. |last=Hayes }}</ref> In 1978, he published a novel book ''[[The Downfall of Capitalism and Communism|The Downfall of Capitalism and Communism: A New Study of History]]'', where he turned his gaze from theoretical economics to history. In the book Batra promoted the [[Social cycle theory of Sarkar|Social cycle theory]] of his spiritual mentor, Sarkar, based on an analysis of four distinct [[Social class|classes]] with different psychological preferences or endowments. At the same time, Batra has theorised that [[economic inequality]] affects economic performance and social change.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/358815 |title=Regular economic cycles : money, inflation, regulation and depressions, Venus Books, 1985 |author=Ravi Batra|accessdate=October 13, 2011}}</ref> He popularised the concept of the "share of wealth held by richest [[millionare|1%]]", as an indicator of inequality and an important determinant of depressions.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/1988/01/06/books/best-sellers-from-1987-s-book-crop.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm|title=Best Sellers From 1987's Book Crop |accessdate=October 13, 2011|work=New York Times|first=Edwin|last=McDowell|date=1988-01-06}}</ref>