Earth is But One Country by -J. Huddleston- 11 Para

..The major challenges which man faces are worldwide in scale and their solution requires action on a universal basis. Yet present institutions tend to strengthen factionalism and to stultify the generous and long-range concepts of society in favour of the superficial and selfish. Baha'is believe that these institutions are so fundamentally obsolete and destructive of man's potential that they will not be the vehicle for the establishment of a new civilization. (91:1)

"Humanity, whether viewed in the light of man's individual conduct or in the existing relationships between organized communities and nations, has, alas, strayed too far and suffered too great a decline to be redeemed through the unaided efforts of the best among its recognized rulers and statesmen-- however disinterested their motives, however concerted their action, however unsparing in their zeal and devotion to its cause. No scheme which the most distinguished exponents of economic theory may hope to provide, in the last resort, adequate foundations upon which the future of a distracted world can be built." (Shoghi Effendi) (91:2)

"...the Spirit breathed by Baha'u'llah upon the world... can never permeate and exercise an abiding influence upon mankind unless and until it incarnates itself in a visible order, which would bear His name, wholly identify itself with His principles and function in conformity with His laws." (Shoghi Effendi) (92:2)

...The machinery of the Cause has been so fashioned, that whatever is deemed necessary to incorporate into it in order to keep it in the forefront of all progressive movements can, according to the provisions made by Baha'u'llah, be safely embodied therein." (Shoghi Effendi) (93:1)

The Administrative Order does not have individual leaders but is designed to obtain universal participation in the process of government.. In Baha'i administration, authority rests solely with the elected institutions. No part of that authority becomes associated in any way with the individuals who serve on the institutions. A person serving on a Baha'i institution receives no special privilege and derives no prestige from his office. The reward of office is the inner hope of having done all in one's power to serve the community. (93:2)

"...Personalities should not be made centres around which the community may revolve but... they should be subordinated under all conditions and however great their merits to the properly constituted Assemblies." (Shoghi Effendi) (93:3)

"...there is a distinction of fundamental importance which should be always remembered.. between the Spiritual Assembly as an institution, and the persons who comprise it. These are by no means supposed to be perfect, nor can they be considered as inherently superior to the rest of their fellow believers. It is precisely because they are subject to the same human limitations that characterize the other members of the community that they have to be elected every year..." (Shoghi Effendi) (93:4)

..there is a difference from the normal democratic theory in that the elected institutions are required to be responsible not to their constituents but to God. This means that their whole outlook is directed to the good of society as a whole, not to factional interest, and society is understood in the widest sense, including not merely the present generation but also the generations of past and future. (94:1)

The Administrative Order has institutions at three distinct levels. To look after the affairs of each town or village where there are at least nine adult Baha'is there is a Local Spiritual Assembly. (94:2)

Where there are a sufficient number of Local Spiritual Assemblies which have a common historical, cultural and geographic background a.. National Spiritual Assembly is formed.. (94:3)

Crowning the Order, is the third level, the supreme legislative body of the Faith, the Universal House of Justice.. (94:5)

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