The measure as written
RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE WEALTH returns the third assigned part to the society, not by draining it all at once, but by holding it at the level the society needs:
It does not necessarily mean giving away TAP altogether, but maintaining a fixed value by constant removal and gain as per the need of the society (this fixed value is not set by any authority; it is determined by the free market, i.e. by the natural demand of the society: when the need rises, more of the TAP flows back into the society, and when it falls, the TAP fills up again), just like the water level maintained by a dam to benefit the people.
Investment is the second of the ways of draining it that were discussed. It states what comes first, and gives the measure:
It is one of the effective ways to maintain TAP while meeting societal needs. It ensures a steady filling of TAP along with a considerable drain (an encouraged way for a society in need). (Here, profit is allowed, but it is not the first intention; the obligation towards the society comes first. The TAP is drained as the wealth goes out into the work, wages and resources that the society needs, while the profit, if any, flows back to fill it again.) (In practice, an investment can be judged by weighing all its benefits to the society against all its costs, not only the profit it brings to the investor.)
This sub-section sets out how an investment is judged: by all its benefits to the society against all its costs, not only by the profit it brings to the investor.
What it measures, in plain words
An investment sends wealth from the third assigned part out into the society, as charity does. It differs in one way: the wealth comes back. The profit, if any, fills the TAP again, so the TAP stays at its level while the society is served: "a steady filling of TAP along with a considerable drain".
What is weighed.
· What comes first. The obligation towards the society. Profit is allowed, but it is not the first intention.
· The benefits to the society. What the investment sends out into it: "the work, wages and resources that the society needs".
· All its costs. Weighed against those benefits.
· The profit to the investor. Only one part of the weighing, never the whole of it.
How to read it. An investment that brings its investor a profit but sends little work, wages or needed resources into the society, or costs it more than it gives, does not pass, however large the profit. An investment that meets the needs of the society passes, whatever its profit: it is "an encouraged way for a society in need".
The level, as with a dam. The TAP is drained as the need rises and fills up again as it falls; it is never drained all at once: "What happens if the gates of a dam are opened to drain all the water? There comes a high risk of flooding".