Baha'i Administration

OLD WORLD ORDER

BAHA'I GOVERNANCE

1

Democratic electoral process involves mudslinging and divisiveness.

Democratic electoral process is prayerful and unifying

2

Popularity required to be elected

Popularity unnecessary to be elected

3

Political party membership expected

Partisan politics forbidden

4

Campaigning for office expected

Campaigning for office forbidden

5

Millions spent on electioneering

No money spent on electioneering, no electioneering permitted

6

Gerrymandering forces demographic rule of constituency make-up

Assembly elected from entire constituency (elections and concerns are "at-large")

7

Charismatic, influential persons elected

Pure and steadfast souls elected

8

Those elected hold offices of power and play the part

Those elected hold offices of service and perform their duties

9

Re-election almost always a concern

Re-election never an issue

10

Separation of Church and State mandated, even when prayer is recited at start of meeting

Assembly seeks and receives Divine support at all stages of consultation

11

Government rules by man-made laws, sometimes at odds with God’s laws

Assembly governs from Holy texts

12

Individual politician’s efforts made for progress of the politician

Individual Assembly member directs efforts at progress of humanity

13

Government supported by mandatory payment of taxes

Assembly activities supported by voluntary contributions from Baha’is only

14

Various agencies administer the funds

Assembly administers the funds

15

Government ostensibly answerable to electorate

Assembly answerable to God only

16

Deliberations a matter of public record

Confidentiality in consultation assured

17

Judicial process takes precedence

Justice is watchword

18

Equality given lip service

Equality practiced

19

Government concerned with narrow constituency, focusing on special interests, but affects everyone (thinks locally, acts globally)

Assembly concerned with needs of all humanity, focuses on constituent community (thinks globally, acts locally)

20

Deadlock (gridlock) prevents progress

All issues addressed fully and acted upon

21

Filibuster designed to prevent progress

Everyone participates, addresses topic at hand, relinquishes floor, and detaches from personal comment or idea

22

Parliamentary rules often stifle progress

No parliamentary rules

23

Frequent votes along party lines

No party lines exist

24

Veto authority considered necessary for "balance of power"

No individual has power over others or over the system; no veto provision exists

25

Bureaucracy seen as cold, impersonal, treating people as numbers

Assembly seen as "loving parent"

26

Minority view often disruptive, halts progress while under appeal

Assembly decisions supported by all, even while under appeal

27

Appeals often first go to another branch of the same level of government

Appeals are always to higher authority

28

Bureaucracy despised, mistrusted

Assembly loved and trusted

29

Most politicians receive pay for time spent in office

Assembly member receives no compensation

30

System termed "best man ever created"

System is Divinely ordained