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"A world federal system, ruling the whole earth and exercising unchallengeable authority over its unimaginably vast resources, blending and embodying the ideals of both the East and the West, liberated from the curse of war and its miseries, and bent on the exploitation of all the available sources of energy on the surface of the planet, a system in which Force is made the servant of Justice, whose life is sustained by its universal recognition of one God and by its allegiance to one common Revelation-- such is the goal toward which humanity, impelled by the unifying forces of life, is moving." (Shoghi Effendi) (126:1) The role of government will be set to a large extent by the spiritualization of world society-- that is, the practice in daily life by all of true religious principles. On the other hand, the spiritual nature of government methods will contribute to the spiritual growth and development of society. This is obviously so different from most of our experience that it is difficult to draw parallels with present or past institutions. However, the writer would like to venture the following remarks. (126:2) From studying Baha'i methods and administration it seems that there will be the minimum of bureaucracy and the prevailing spirit will be to rely on voluntary compliance with the rulings of the world government, and in consequence a great deal of responsibility will be delegated to national and local bodies. (126:3) "...The worldwide law of Baha'u'llah... repudiates excessive centralization on one hand, and disclaims all attempts at uniformity on the other. Its watchword is unity in diversity... The principle of the oneness of mankind... calls for.. a world organically unified in all the essential aspects of its life.. infinite in the diversity of the national characteristics of its federated units." (Shoghi Effendi).... (126:4) In some respects it might be true to say that the national level will be less important than it is.. general direction will be given to national governments by the world institutions, and.. there will be a devolution of much responsibility to the local community where most of the day-to-day affairs will be conducted.
(126:6)
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