The Oneness of Humanity
A Global Civilization
The creation of a global commonwealth is a central teaching of the Bahá’í Faith. In the latter part of the nineteenth century, Bahá’u’lláh called upon the world’s rulers to reconcile their differences and to “lay the foundations of the world’s Great Peace.” He proclaimed that “The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens.”
In doing so, He outlined a number of steps that would lead to permanent stability in international relations. At the heart of His vision was a set of new social structures based on participation and consultation among the world’s peoples. These new institutional mechanisms would eliminate conflicts of interest and thereby reduce the potential for disunity at all levels of society. A number of international institutions were envisaged: a world legislature with genuine representation and authority, an international court having final jurisdiction in all disputes between nations, and an international executive empowered to carry out the decisions of these legislative and judicial bodies.
These institutions would have the means to ensure and maintain a general disarmament by applying principles of collective security. They would neither usurp nor suppress the basic autonomy of nations, would safeguard the personal freedom and initiative of individuals, and would protect long-cherished cultural traditions of the world’s peoples. The system of governance outlined by Bahá’u’lláh emphasizes the importance of grassroots decision-making that is democratic in spirit and method, but also provides a level of coordination and authority that makes cooperation possible on a global scale.
Elements of a world commonwealth
As forecast by Baha'u'llah more than 100 years ago, the new world order must be based on the following elements if a lasting world peace is to be established:
• Recognized and secure borders for all nations
• Freedom of movement and thought for all peoples
• A general disarmament
• The establishment of a world federation of nations
• The establishment of a world tribunal for the adjudication of international disputes
• The creation of an international military force capable of enforcing peace through principles of collective security
• A commitment to the protection of cultural diversity
“In such a world society...” In the 1930s, Bahá’u’lláh’s vision for a unified world commonwealth was summarized by Shoghi Effendi in an often-quoted letter written to the Bahá’ís of the West.
“Bahá’u'lláh taught the Oneness of humanity; that is to say, all the children of men are under the mercy of the Great God. They are the sons of one God; they are trained by God. He has placed the crown of humanity on the head of every one of the servants of God. Therefore all nations and peoples must consider themselves brethren. They are all descendants from Adam. They are the branches, leaves, flowers and fruits of One Tree. They are pearls from one shell.”
— `Abdu'l-Bahá
The creation of a global commonwealth is a central teaching of the Bahá’í Faith. In the latter part of the nineteenth century, Bahá’u’lláh called upon the world’s rulers to reconcile their differences and to “lay the foundations of the world’s Great Peace.” He proclaimed that “The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens.”
In doing so, He outlined a number of steps that would lead to permanent stability in international relations. At the heart of His vision was a set of new social structures based on participation and consultation among the world’s peoples. These new institutional mechanisms would eliminate conflicts of interest and thereby reduce the potential for disunity at all levels of society. A number of international institutions were envisaged: a world legislature with genuine representation and authority, an international court having final jurisdiction in all disputes between nations, and an international executive empowered to carry out the decisions of these legislative and judicial bodies.
These institutions would have the means to ensure and maintain a general disarmament by applying principles of collective security. They would neither usurp nor suppress the basic autonomy of nations, would safeguard the personal freedom and initiative of individuals, and would protect long-cherished cultural traditions of the world’s peoples. The system of governance outlined by Bahá’u’lláh emphasizes the importance of grassroots decision-making that is democratic in spirit and method, but also provides a level of coordination and authority that makes cooperation possible on a global scale.
Elements of a world commonwealth
As forecast by Baha'u'llah more than 100 years ago, the new world order must be based on the following elements if a lasting world peace is to be established:
• Recognized and secure borders for all nations
• Freedom of movement and thought for all peoples
• A general disarmament
• The establishment of a world federation of nations
• The establishment of a world tribunal for the adjudication of international disputes
• The creation of an international military force capable of enforcing peace through principles of collective security
• A commitment to the protection of cultural diversity
“In such a world society...” In the 1930s, Bahá’u’lláh’s vision for a unified world commonwealth was summarized by Shoghi Effendi in an often-quoted letter written to the Bahá’ís of the West.
“Bahá’u'lláh taught the Oneness of humanity; that is to say, all the children of men are under the mercy of the Great God. They are the sons of one God; they are trained by God. He has placed the crown of humanity on the head of every one of the servants of God. Therefore all nations and peoples must consider themselves brethren. They are all descendants from Adam. They are the branches, leaves, flowers and fruits of One Tree. They are pearls from one shell.”
— `Abdu'l-Bahá