The Future World Economy

Creating a Compelling Vision of a Prosperous World

What is happening in Our World?

Environmental DegradationClimate Change

Material Poverty

Pollution

Are these symptoms of an overriding problem?

Growing Economic Inequality

The wealth of the richest 85 people in the world =

The wealth of half the world’s population – 3.5 Billion people

The Aboubakar family of Breidjing Camp, Chad Food expenditure for one week: $1.23

One billion people do not have enough food needed for basic life.

Over three billion people live on less than $2.50 a day.

The Revis family of North Carolina USAFood expenditure for one week: $341.98

Consumption expenditures per person almost tripled between 1960 and 2006.

The rich are getting richer, the poor, poorer – the gap is increasing.

The Overriding Social & Economic Crisis

For these people

We Need

To have this prosperity

The Overriding Social & Economic Crisis

Wasteful Over-Consumption!

A growing worldwide epidemic

The Root Cause:

Unsustainable Economic growth due to our insatiable desire for material goods Our value of material commodities:

Beyond our real material needsDefines our social identity and status Has become even our purpose in life

Materialism

The Root Cause: Materialism

Materialism:… the root cause of such apparently unrelated problems as the pollution of the environment, economic dislocation, ethnic violence, spreading public apathy, the massive increase in crime, and epidemics that ravage whole populations. Recovery requires … a fundamental change of moral consciousness and behaviour.

Materialism:… a kind of universal religion claiming absolute authority in both the personal and social life of humankind. The goal of human life is, or ought to be, the satisfaction of material needs and wants.

The Fundamental Paradigm Shift – From Me to We

We are all interdependent members of one human family occupying one common

homeland, the planet earth - The Oneness of Humanity

The Oneness of Humanity – A Global Human Value

For the Individual

It presents a perspective which harmonizes with that which is immanent in human nature.It induces an attitude, a dynamic, a will, an aspiration, which facilitate the discovery and implementation of practical measures.

It introduces a fundamental change of life purpose from acquisition of material goods to working for the betterment of the world.To setting the common good above private interest.To doing that which profits oneself and others.

It does not negate individual freedom or initiative but calls for a wider loyalty, for a larger aspiration than any that has animated the human race… Its watchword is unity in diversity.

The Oneness of Humanity – A Global Human Value

The current capitalist economic system is morally and intellectually bankrupt.The challenges facing humanity are global and require a new world order of global governance.

It is a spiritual truth revealed by Bahá’u’lláhIt is a social reality confirmed by human science. Anthropology, physiology, psychology, recognize only one human species…

For Society

Acceptance of the oneness of mankind is the first fundamental prerequisite for the reorganization and administration of the world as one country, the home of humankind. Universal acceptance of this spiritual principle is essential to any successful attempt to establish world peace.

The Oneness Of Humanity calls for no less than:

The reconstruction and demilitarization of the whole civilized world –

A world organically unified in all the essential aspects of its life,

•Its political machinery,

•Its spiritual aspiration,

•Its trade and finance,

•Its script and language,

Yet infinite in the diversity of the national characteristics of its federated units.

World Unity

Global Governance –The next stage in the evolution of civilization

An elected world legislature, will enact laws to benefit all races and peoples

A world executive, backed by an international Force, will carry out the decisions arrived at by the world legislature, and will safeguard the organic unity of the whole commonwealth.

A world tribunal will adjudicate and deliver its compulsory and final verdict in all and any disputes that may arise between the various elements constituting this universal system.

a world commonwealth in which all nations, races, creeds and classes are closely and permanently united, and in which the autonomy of its state members and the personal freedom and initiative of the individuals that compose them are definitely and completely safeguarded.

The Global EconomyThe economic resources of the world will be organized, its sources of raw materials will be tapped and fully utilized, its markets will be coordinated and developed, and the distribution of its products will be equitably regulated.

Economic barriers and restrictions will be completely abolished

Destitution on the one hand, and gross accumulation of ownership on the other, will disappear.

There will be a uniform and universal system of currency

The Vision of Global Prosperity

… The enormous energy dissipated and wasted on war, whether economic or political, will be consecrated to such ends as will extend the range of human inventions and technical development,

• to the increase of the productivity of mankind,

• to the extermination of disease,

• to the extension of scientific research,

• to the raising of the standard of physical health,

• to the sharpening and refinement of the human brain,

• to the [sustainable] exploitation of the unused and unsuspected resources of the planet,

• to the prolongation of human life,

• and to the furtherance of any other agency that can stimulate the intellectual, the moral, and spiritual life of the entire human race.

The Industrial EconomyAbolition of strikes and lockoutsProfit sharing - 20-25% to workersRecognition of the interdependence of capital and labourFrom profit maximization to purpose drivenFrom shareholder model to stakeholder modelFrom free trade to fair tradeFrom built to break to built to lastFrom externalization of costs to extended producer responsibility

From: To:

Circular EconomyZero waste manufacturing

Repair, Reuse, Recycle, Return

The Local Economy

Progressive taxation collected at the community level

Redistribution of revenues to those in need in the community “no one will be left destitute.”

Voluntary giving of the rich to the poor

Community-based cooperative development

Implementation of disruptive technologies – renewable energy, 3 Dimensional print manufacturing

Local agriculture production – reclaiming the commons & land sharing

Achieving the Vision of World Government

That yet greater suffering and disillusionment will be required to impel humanity to this great leap forward [the acceptance of world government] appears, alas, equally clear.

Forces of Integration

Forces of Disintegration

Global Meltdown

The United Nations does not possess such a mandate

nor is there anything in the current discourse of political leaders that seriously envisions so radical a restructuring of the administration of the affairs of the planet

Achieving the Vision

O ye rulers of the earth!... Now that ye have refused the Most Great Peace, hold ye fast unto this, the

Lesser Peace…

Global Governance: The political and social unity of humanity

DisarmamentUniversal educationElimination of prejudiceEquality of women & menWorld languageStandard weights & measures

Elimination of National rivalriesHarmony of Science & ReligionReconciliation of religionsFreedom of the press The Internet

Achieving the Vision

The Most Great PeaceThe spiritual as well as social and political unity of mankind … operating in accordance the laws and ordinances of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas

The Golden Era of humanity’s life on the planet

Our Most Significant Opportunity

Each of us has the freedom to choose what and how much we consume.

Each of us has the free will to determine our own moral attitudes and behaviour.

Our Greatest Challenge

Many of us co-operating together can change the world.

Individually we make little difference…

BUT

DiscussionAcceptance of the oneness of mankind is the first fundamental prerequisite for reorganization and administration of the world as one country, the home of humankind. Universal acceptance of this spiritual principle is essential to any successful attempt to establish world peace.

•It [the oneness of mankind] should therefore be universally proclaimed, taught in schools, and constantly asserted in every nation as preparation for the organic change in the structure of society which it implies. – How do we make this happen?•Does this presentation offer a compelling vision? And if so, how can we best promote it?

Individual ActionsSpiritual:

Independent search for truth: spiritual and materialAdhere to human virtues – our innate higher natureWork for the betterment of the worldWhat we buy, how much we buy and where we buy are moral choices

Social and Economic:Invest locally Buy locallyParticipate and co-operate locallyAccess, generate, apply and diffuse knowledge

Ecological:Reduce, Repair, Reuse, Recycle, and Return

“Moderation in all things”

Individual Economy:A Fundamental Change of Consciousness

From: Material Beings

To satisfy material needs & wants

Self Interest

Material Acquisitions/ Social Status

To: Spiritual Beings

To work for the betterment of the world

Set the common goodabove self interest

Service and Virtue

Purpose

Relationship

Success

It is unlawful to beg, and it is forbidden to give to him who beggeth.

… it is incumbent on every one to engage in crafts and professions, for therein lies the secret of wealth

We have exalted your engagement in such work to the rank of worship…

DiscussionAdversities unimaginably appalling, undreamed of crises and

upheavals, war, famine, and pestilence, might well combine to engrave in the soul of an unheeding generation those truths and principles

which it has disdained to recognize and follow.

Global Meltdown

How do we as local Bahá’í communities anticipate, prepare for and adapt to the inevitable

global meltdown?

Discussion

What actions can we take now to create a sustainable economy for our future generations?