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The Baha'i election has several.. significant features. First, there are no nominations and no political campaigns. In conventional democracy such procedures are considered necessary because otherwise the electors would have no idea for whom to vote. However, the price of such practices is high, as is clear to anyone interested in politics. It can be an opportunity for manipulation by the rich and powerful vested interests. In many countries as, for example, in the United States, few but the rich can be elected to the most important offices because only the rich can afford the cost of campaigns. In nearly all countries the emphasis tends to be on the image rather than on reality. A man's record, which in any case is so often hard to define, counts for less than his public appearance and soft words. As a result the electors never really know for whom they are voting. Worst of all, the campaign system creates a leadership cult, with all the consequences that such cults imply. Clearly, such practices make the formation of a just government all but impossible.
(96:3)
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