Improving the economy to serve human needs and welfare
In the face of growing economic disparities exposed by the worldwide pandemic, a call for a more humane economic system is gaining traction. This vision is rooted in the Bahá'í teachings, which advocate for a transformation of society that prioritizes unity, justice, and capacity building.
At the heart of Bahá'í economic thought is the belief that each individual has a responsibility to alleviate poverty and ensure that every person in the world has the means to live a comfortable and fulfilling life - a fundamental human right. Central to this vision is the concept that social and economic development begins at the grassroots level, growing organically as local communities gain the capacity to manage their own affairs.
Bahá'ís approach social change not as charity or service delivery but as a process that involves building capabilities within communities to ensure sustainability and dignity. Regarding economic justice, Bahá'í teachings advocate for equity, fairness, and the elimination of exploitation.
To work toward a more humane economic system, individuals and society can engage in capacity building by participating in or supporting grassroots social and economic development projects. They can promote unity and justice across social, racial, and national boundaries, helping to lay the foundations for political and economic structures that respect human dignity and diversity.
Moreover, it is crucial to avoid imposing external solutions or resources without local ownership to ensure that communities maintain dignity and self-determination. Integrating spiritual principles such as consultation, service, and the oneness of humanity into economic practices can create systems that nurture both material wellbeing and ethical values.
The Bahá'í teachings envision a world civilization evolving toward unity and economic systems that serve the common good, with each individual and community playing a vital role in this ongoing process. Baha'u'llah, the prophet and founder of the Baha'i faith, is referred to as the "Father of the Poor," emphasizing the moral and spiritual duty to care for the disadvantaged.
Abdu'l-Baha, the son of Baha'u'llah, stated that economic conditions have divine foundations and are associated with the world of the heart and the spirit. In a speech in Montreal in 1912, he expressed a desire for individuals to be endowed with the spirit of justice, to promote the well-being of all, and for every member of society to live in comfort and happiness.
Shoghi Effendi, the Guardian of the Baha'i faith, explained Abdu'l-Baha's view on the economic solution as being of a divine nature, suggesting that religion is the key to producing fundamental change in human nature to address economic issues. Abdu'l-Baha's statement in Montreal in 1912 implies that by cultivating the spirit of justice, the material world can become the paradise of the Divine Kingdom, and the earthly realm can be found in a heavenly state.
The speaker, who believes the gap between the rich and the poor is widening and no solution is in sight, uses the term "human economy" to describe a solution to economic inequalities. The current financial system is believed to be a byproduct of the old order, built on erroneous assumptions that people only think of their own interests and do not care about the situation of others, leading to the spread of greed and current economic injustices.
The speaker is upset about humanity's insensitivity towards the sufferings of the poor and disadvantaged and hopes that the Bahá'í teachings can inspire a more compassionate and equitable approach to economic development.
- Personal growth and education-and-self-development are essential components in striving for a more humane economic system, as they actively promote the spirit of justice, unity, and a concern for others' well-being.
- To create a human economy, individuals must prioritize personal-finance management in a manner that reflects the Bahá'í teachings, aiming to alleviate poverty and contribute to the comfort and fulfillment of all people.
- In the pursuit of economic justice, it is crucial for businesses and society to recognize the interconnectedness of personal-finance, economic-justice, and societal development, focusing on equity, fairness, and the elimination of exploitation, as taught by the Bahá'í faith.
