I lean toward libertarian socialism and sustainability economics (Herman Daly, etc.), and to the ... more

I lean toward libertarian socialism and sustainability economics (Herman Daly, etc.), and to the full panoply of United Nations international human rights, as my basic theoretical approaches for secular analysis. However, in trying to integrate these with a "spiritual" and religious outlook as well, I see the patterns and methods of self-government described in the Baha'i writings to be a step forward for humanity beyond its present reliance on a model of "power without ethics." The Baha'i model of self-government exhibits a concern for gender balance, for decision-making by groups rather than by individual leaders, for inclusion of the stakeholders and the community, for mature and respectful communications (conversive relationality), for building Earth Community, the oneness of humanity and its biosphere, for science working together with the sacred for sustainable futures, and for the notion that the Baha'i community and its model of self-government is an instrument of almost unlimited potential benefit to the human race. Activists should seriously investigate this movement and find in it some methodologies they may not yet be aware of. less