Global Prosperity for Humankind: The Baha'i Model
Exported from Holy-Writings.com on 2026-07-04 - 1 clipping

Source: Bahá'í Library Online (bahai-library.com), curated by Jonah Winters. Used by permission of the curator. Original citation: Noojan Kazemi, Global Prosperity for Humankind: The Baha'i Model, bahai-library.com.
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

Global Prosperity for Humankind:

The Bahá'í Model

Noojan Kazemi
published in 75 Years of the Bahá'í Faith in Australasia

Rosebery: Association for Bahá'í Studies Australia, 1996

Global Prosperity is a multifaceted theme which has an association with
every aspect of human existence. As a theme, global prosperity suggests social justice on
an international scale including elements such as welfare and personal well-being.
Furthermore, in the words of the economist Gregory Dahl, global prosperity is inextricably
linked to world order which he defines as 'the organisation of laws and institutions of
the world to promote global prosperity.' Therefore global prosperity is tied to the
contemporary socio-economic structure and system that is prevailing in the current world
climate.

Post-cold war, our global systems are changing so rapidly, predictions
about what elements will ensure global prosperity are difficult. Neither are we sure
anymore of the fundamental socio-economic system - capitalism or socialism, to name the
main - that our contemporary system will use to bring us that prosperity. Overall, a
feeling of uncertainty is created about our current system's ability to deliver prosperity
on a global scale. The ensuing confusion that has occurred, however, has given us the
distinct opportunity of seeing the increasing emphasis an importance attached to newer
global systems of achieving prosperity such as that of the Bahá'í faith. The Bahá'í
faith provides an interesting and balanced strategy for social justice as its teachings
emphasise a spiritual basis behind human needs and solutions. This spiritual basis is the
key point of the Bahá'í model.

In this paper, I would like to make a comparison between two systems -
one of a contemporary socio-economic model looking for prosperity and stability and that
of a new yet firmly established religious structure, claiming that the 'bedrock of any
strategy towards global prosperity, must be the consciousness of the oneness of mankind.'
(Bahá'í Office of Public Information, 1995). Due to the broad range of themes within
prosperity, this paper will focus on three areas of comparison in the areas of economic,
social and peace and conflict resolution themes.

The vast majority of socio-economic systems in the world are a mixture
of two systems whose remnants remain with us in one way or another - that is, either
capitalism or socialism.

Let us briefly look at how prosperity is achieved in each of these dual
ideologies. Australian and other Western systems which have relied on the capitalist
method, have drawn strength on the principle that people need freedom to develop their
natural capacities, the ability to follow their initiative and creativity as well as being
allowed the liberty to work hard so as to yield the fruit of their endeavours.

As an aside, according to Bahá'u'lláh, the prophet founder of the
Bahá'í Faith, not only is this freedom an integral part of human nature, but also a
necessary thing.

The problem with capitalism, as stated by Holly Hanson (1991), is that
it promotes greed and in the past has caused tremendous suffering, largely because it
focuses on the individual and ignores humanity. For example, in an economy most resembling
prosperity (and whose economic backbone has been the free market and competition), the
United States, around 8 percent or 19 million of its people are chronically unemployed, 33
million are malnourished and the infant mortality rate in its inner-city slums is higher
than that of most developing countries.

Socialist ideology recognises the interdependence between members of
society and stresses that the individual can work for the common good of the community
through personal sacrifice. Again prosperity is sought for, often through a partisan
approach which is restrictive and over watchful. However, like capitalism, the socialist
model cannot get people motivated enough to sustain change and the populace returns to
thinking about themselves.

Is it possible to put the beneficial parts of both systems together?
According to Andrew Theophanous, a politician and author in Social Justice (Understanding
Social Justice, 1993), the resultant equation is a contemporary welfare state, much like
Australia where the successful are motivated to cheat on their taxes, the poor are
motivated to remain unemployed and the entrepreneurs move to Spain. So what model does
claim to motivate people towards change? More importantly, what model is there that can
sustain enough commitment from its devotees as to be able to implement its social,
economic and other policies designed to achieve global prosperity? This is a good
introduction for the Bahá'í faith - a new religious socio-global system.

The Bahá'í Faith is an interesting model to study, as it perceives
reality as far more than just restricted to the material. Fundamental to its basis is the
belief in spiritual reality as the motivating force for attaining prosperity. In other
words, it tackles social and economic needs with another dimension considering the
spiritual demands of man and allows principles arising from this spiritual wholeness of
man to answer the question material resources and the distribution of those resources.

Prosperity, especially global prosperity must include an analysis of
the spiritual well-being of man using predictors such as achievement of unity among
different ethnic groups or the attainment of equality among the sexes. In this way,
prosperity takes a wider and more comprehensive role.

For any useful comparison for factors in achieving prosperity, we must
restrict ourselves. Here, we will look at the areas of economic, social and peace and
conflict resolution themes.

1) Economics - The Bahá'í faith does not claim to bring a
completely new system of economics to the world. However, it serves to continue the
beneficial and healthy effect that uncorrupted spirituality brings to a global economic
system, as had been the case in the early stages of past religious dispensations. Rather
the aim of the Bahá'í Faith, according to Shoghi Effendi (Lights of Guidance), is to bring
a fundamental change in man's nature, so as to enable him to adjust the economic
relationships of society. Such a fundamental change brings with it the adoption of new and
responsible economic practices, such as profit sharing. It also necessarily brings an
overall foresight by large international economic institutions, such as multinational
companies about the global impact of their produce, rather than the current emphasis on
short term and temporary goals based purely on a monetary profit basis. According to the
governing body of the Bahá'í faith today, the Universal House of Justice, such new
economic relationships would tackle first the inordinate disparity between rich and poor -
a great source of acute suffering and a source of great instability to the world.
Secondly, it would put into place institutions with safeguards to avoid the crisis of
poverty and destitution globally. It remains to be seen what impact on traditional
economic thinking and application there will be when the spiritual dimension of man is
accounted for.

2) Social - The Bahá'í model has a wider appeal through its
universal consideration of a common people based on its fundamental belief that people are
one. By fostering love between the many diverse races of people in the world, it believes
it can eliminate many causes of social strife and discord. Fundamental to this is the
belief in a common creator. Few systems have an omnipotent, all-providing, all-protecting
head whose laws lie at the root of the decision making. While not making the Bahá'í
Faith unique, we can now see where the unemptiable source of motivation towards change and
global prosperity would arise.

Justice is one social policy which is heavily stressed in the Bahá'í
Faith, especially on a global scale. It is seen as a 'power that can translate the dawning
consciousness of humanity's oneness into a collective will through which the necessary
structures of global community life can be confidently erected.' On an individual level,
justice is a characteristic that progresses the individual, through developing honesty and
independence of thought. On a global level, justice becomes the standard bearer for
decision making and ensures the correct utilisation of all resources involved in
instituting prosperity. Prosperity is the direction the ship of mankind is sailing
towards, and justice is the breeze blowing against its sails. The implications of justice
are very great indeed. Every social and development project which strictly ensures justice
is carried through is securing needs to limited resources.

Inherent in the Bahá'í system is the social support structure known
as the Bahá'í Community. This community is perhaps one of the greatest strengths of the
Bahá'í model, especially when placed in comparison with the disintegration of
traditional family and community values. One of its great strengths is the strong links
created between the members of its community, as attested by its coming together every 19
days in the form of the 'feast'. The benefits derived from this are communication
channels, the forging of strong relationships as well as the chance for a reaffirmation of
spirituality in the community. These have the advantage of moulding the members together
and motivating them to sacrifice and work towards achieving the goals of prosperity - for
their community and globally.

3) Peace - There is no doubt that we live in a time where global
conflict is a pressing problem. In fact, Abdu'l-Bahá, the son of the founder of the
Bahá'í Faith, has mentioned that the problem of Universal Peace is the key problem for
this century. While our contemporary global system, has had successes in averting or
ending war, countless treaties for peace have been drawn and rescinded and there are many
crippling conflicts today where the entire world stands helplessly by, such as Bosnia,
Somalia etc. In addition, every day will bring numerous regional conflicts with diverse
and fragmented agendas. The Bahá'í model recognises that the prerequisite for global
peace is the establishment of unity among the nations of the world - a unity based on the
recognition of oneness and upholding love between the members of this planet; not a unity
set on material gain. In case this distinction is seen as obvious and not worthy of
special emphasis, let it be known that our statesmen themselves may not see this emerging
theme as necessarily able to achieve peace, as evidenced by a quote from the current
Australian Foreign Affairs minister, Gareth Evans, "If there is an emerging one world
vision among nations around the world, it is not that which in the past inspired
the proponents of world government, but rather one based on an appreciation of
environmental interdependence, combined with a recognition of the inexorable logic of
science and technology and financial markets.....".

Abdul-Bahá, the son of the founder of the Bahá'í Faith, however,
states:

'... every means that produces war must be checked and the causes that
prevent the occurrence of war be advanced - so that physical contact may become an
impossibility. These services ought to be rendered by an impartial, international
Commission.' (Lights of Guidance)

A few other key strengths are found in the Bahá'í model.

A strength in the Bahá'í model is the lack of partisanship approach.
'Debate, Propaganda, the adversarial method and the entire apparatus of partisanship' have
been long known features and discrepancies present in the current system of truth seeking
and debate in all areas of development. Through the lack of partisanship in the Bahá'í
model, it does not allow itself to be aligned with approaches and attitudes that must
necessarily isolate a group of people, from its universal appeal and teachings. Its
emphasis is on a unity of thought and action in tackling social and economic problems. To
carry this goal out for its future, it spells out distinct roles for its future
institutions such as that of the World Court or the World Parliament to tackle the
international problems of conflict resolution and social order. In addition, this model is
committed to the flourishing of advanced institutions dedicated learning, health and
social and economic development especially in less developed nations. Furthermore, this is
given physical acknowledgment by the establishment of hospitals, universities, schools and
centres for development around the Mashriqu'l Adhqars, or the Bahá'í Houses of Worship, in
each continent. In this way, the Bahá'í Faith is the only model to have its future roles
and institutions' evolution charted well on its course, prior to their establishment.

The consultative approach is firmly adhered to by not only such
institutions, but it is also decreed for the individual Bahá'í. In this way,
consultation becomes the light of justice in all economic and development strategies
aiming to find prosperity. According to the Bahá'í model, prosperity cannot be attained
except through such consultation. As Bahá'u'lláh writes, "No man can attain his
true station, except through his justice. No power can exist except through unity. No
welfare and well-being can be attained except through consultation."

The greatest assurance however that the Bahá'í model can give itself
in terms of achieving prosperity is its belief that it is a divinely inspired system and
hence not subject to the theoretical justification from man at least. This deific basis to
the Bahá'í model adds a constancy and motivation little seen or more importantly, little
able to be maintained in past and present socio-economic systems. In addition, it is
widely acknowledged that by far the vast majority of the world's population have the
spiritual dimension as an integral part of their culture.

It is also correct that the majority of development projects do not
take this spiritual influence in their planning or application. To this extent, it is one
of the fundamental aims of the Bahá'í model to increase knowledge both technical and
spiritual for all groups involved in development towards prosperity. Only then is
consultation, forward thinking, planning and hence full utilisation of resources available
made possible.

As an alternative to the world's pressing need for stability and
prosperity, the Bahá'í model is an interesting and balanced proposition.

REFERENCES

1. The Prosperity of Humankind (1995) The Bahá'í International
Community, Office of Public Information, Bahá'í Publications Australia.

2. Hanson H. "Bahá'í Development Strategy; A meeting of Social
Ideologies." (1991) Emergence - Dimensions of a New World Order. Bahá'í Publishing
Trust.

3. World Book 1994.

4. Understanding Social Justice (1993) Theophanous AC. Elikia
Books.

5. Lights of Guidance - A Bahá'í Reference File (1988) Hornby
H. Bahá'í Publishing Trust, New Delhi, India.

6. Australia's Foreign Relations - In the World of the 1990's.
(1995) Evans G, Grant B. Second Edition.

METADATA

Views10096 views since posted 2011-10-23; last edit 2011-10-23 UTC;

previous at archive.org.../kazemi_global_prosperity_humankind
Language
English
Permission
fair use
History
Formatted 2011-10-22 by Jonah Winters; Proofread 2011-10-19 by Jonah Winters.
Share

Shortlink: bahai-library.com/2792
Citation: ris/2792

select Collection:
Archives
Articles
Articles-unpublished
Audio
Bibliographies
BIC
Biographies
Books
Chronologies
Compilations
Compilations-NSA
Compilations-personal
Documents
East-asia
Encyclopedia
Essays
Etc
Excerpts
Fiction
Glossaries
Guardian
Histories
Introductory
Letters
Maps
Music
Newspapers
NSA-documents
NSA-letters
Personal
Pilgrims
Poetry
Presentations
Resources
Reviews
Scripts
Software
Statistics
Study
Talks
Theses
Transcripts
Translations
UHJ-documents
UHJ-letters
Video
Visual
Writings

home

sitemap

series

chronology

search:
author

title

date

tags

adv. search
languages

inventory

bibliography

abbreviations

links

about

contact

RSS

new
-- Global Prosperity for Humankind: The Baha'i Model (Used by permission of the curator)