Fifteenth Reflection

international state. Instead, it asks for the elimination of state at the level of national and local levels as well. Marxism is glorification of two opposed concepts: anarchy, and totalitarianism. Both aspects of this inconsistent worldview are opposed to the Baha’i concept of democracy and consultation. Democracy as Consultation For Baha’u’llah, democracy is an expression of a spiritual worldview in which all beings are considered as sacred reflections of divine attributes. Individuals, therefore, are characterized by a paradoxical consciousness of humility and self-confidence; unity and independence. In this worldview democracy is a cultural and moral practice that happens at all levels of ordinary life. Baha’u’llah states that for everything there is a stage of maturation, and the maturity of reason is consultation. But this consultation becomes institutionalized in national and international parliamentary institutions as well. A chief characteristic of such consultation is based on the normative principle of Baha’u’llah that glory and honor is in loving and serving the entire human race. This is of course the same as the spiritual consciousness of the unity and nobility of all beings. This principle is entirely opposed to the prevalent forms of political democracy. The absence of moral and spiritual dimension of political democracy means that democratic debate (and not consultation) is oriented towards realization of particularistic interests. First, many times politics becomes an instrument of realization of corrupt policies to further self-interest of the politicians themselves. Alternatively, politics becomes a strategy to realize the interests of one party against the interests of the other party or parties. Furthermore, politics becomes the realization of the interests of one country against the interests of the world. Finally, many times, politics becomes realization of short term interests of a group of people against the long term interests of both humanity and the enviornment. Baha’u’llah’s view of democracy as spiritual and moral consultation means the exact opposite. In His letter to the Queen Victoria, after praising parliamentary democracy, Baha’u’llah emphasizes this spiritual, moral, and therefore, global preconditions of any form of democracy: It behoveth them, however, to be trustworthy among His servants, and to regard themselves as the representatives of all that dwell on earth. This is what counselleth them, in this Tablet, He Who is the Ruler, the All-Wise. And if any one of them directeth himself towards the Assembly, let him turn his eyes unto the Supreme Horizon, and say: “O my God! I ask Thee, by Thy most glorious Name, to aid me in that which will cause the affairs of Thy servants to prosper, and Thy cities to flourish. Thou, indeed, hast power over all things!” Blessed is he that entereth the Assembly for the sake of God, and judgeth between men with pure justice. He, indeed, is of the blissful. (Tablet to Queen Victoria)