The Joy of a Future World without Politics

I ruminated about how to start this blog series -- so many possible topics that interest me, and which I hope will interest you. So I debated with myself about this first subject.  It's not a topic I would normally choose, the future, I mean. But why not just put some of my thoughts, feelings and beliefs, out there? Nothing stopping me but common sense and the threat of libel, so I'll be gentle this go-round.

Where to start. Here's my interpretation of what might be...
One. In the future they'll be no need of political parties. They'll be obsolete, thrown away for a better method closer to true democracy. And what do I think is true democracy? Essentially the freedom of thought and the ability to express oneself thru considered words and actions, not just words alone, unlike all the political ads, advertising copy, magazines and TV, mobile and news outlets, do everywhere. Granted, all the media outlets (and more), will still be there, but no political ads. The media focus will be on expressing the truth and not "spin," half-truths or outright propaganda. The media will be judged heavily according to the "pants on fire" barometers of Politifact and many others in the world of the future. Disinformation and misinformation will be exposed for what they are, and who's behind them, unlike now with faceless PACs hiding behind their concocted rhetoric.

Why no political parties? Is it even possible or practical? Well indeed its both if you change the ground rules slightly. We'll never change one person, one vote, although the legal age may become less than eighteen, worldwide. That right is sacrosanct. We'll still have polling places (bad word), I mean voting places, to accommodate secrecy and a degree of anonymity. (Polling will be obsolete as well, for this.) Also sacrosanct. The rest of the details will be worked out by worldwide experts, by locality, region, state, nation and world, but the system will be similar with a number of notable exceptions and guiding principles. Someday maybe I or someone else will write a book explaining well the best systems of human governance and Divine Economics.

A. No "running for office." No election campaigns, slush funds and anonymous donors. None. Hence, no political advertising of any kind. No signs on lawns, back-to-back commercials, bumper stickers -- none of it. Wouldn't that be nice.

B. Every citizen in good standing will be eligible for election at all levels of government (businesses will follow later), much like it is today, with, perhaps, elections extending to Cabinet officers, department heads, or even division heads. Most certainly to governing bodies like boards, authorities, colleges etc., and to judges and their administrators. In other words to all the governing institutions of humankind. How? Based on individuals demonstrated (not just spoken), public, and private, words and actions (and writings), education, knowledge, competence and above all -- honesty and trustworthiness.

Wouldn't that be novel -- voting for the best woman or man for the job (with equal opportunity of course, including race which goes without saying). Based solely on their capacity, reputation and qualities. Their "character" as Dr. Martin Luthor King Jr. stated. And term limits will apply, except for universal acclaim like we had for FDR, and even then, "Emeritus" would do. Whether three or four years, with one reelection only? That will have to be worked out. But gerrymandering will be absolutely forbidden. Independent boards with watchdog organizations will draw up districts based solely on population, civil boundaries, and community unity.

C. Here's the toughest part, but a part I know exists and works well nonetheless. Here I'm talking about the absolute prohibition against nominating and electioneering. Simply not allowed, with social and civil penalties when discovered. How in the world can this system work you ask?

Well, I'm bias, and I admit that and declare it. But this system exists right now in the Baha'i worldwide community of over five million members. I've participated in the system I've just described above at the local, national and international (indirectly), levels since 1975, just after we had our first Hamilton Twp. local Baha'i community election. These are conducted on an annual basis every April. Local elections are followed by election of a delegate(s) for the larger region.  In October we vote in annual national election of our continental U.S. Baha'i council (governing over the 150,000+ American Baha'is), then those national members vote for the international council once every five years. Everything I've just described has been in place and functioning for Baha'is since the Faith's earliest days in the late-1800's, and on an international basis since 1963. Voting for council members in the first place is accomplished thru simple plurality.

Oh, and one more "slight change." Those elected vote their own conscience. They do not represent those who elect them in the same sense that we elect politicians today. In other words, they're not politicians. Our goal as elected members is the general welfare of the community, the whole, not its sometimes discordant parts or individual's plans and schemes, especially not big business. Yes, as elected we listen to suggestions, recommendations, even criticisms intently, but then make up our own minds. And there are ample opportunities and ways to make recommendations, including the 19-day Feast when all community members gather for spiritual and physical refreshment, and to conduct community consultation and business.

Their are no lobbyists of vendors who can necessarily sway those elected, especially not more than community members themselves. But our bodies of nine adults consult before every decision, gathering the facts and circumstances first. On our local Assembly (council), rarely do we have to vote on a decision when our personal goal is purity of motive and not self-aggrandizement. 98% of our decisions are made by consensus, and if voting at all, a simple majority rules.

All I'm trying to say is that this unique system of human governance can work when done with pure intentions and a pure heart. I'm still working on those for me, but our history has proven over and over again, year after year, that somehow the right individuals are naturally elected, and the entity itself, our little local community for example, is the better off for it. And it is healthy and functions well, without debt or overspending. And there is no dearth of qualified, capable, stable and upright individuals to choose from.

Basically, what I'm saying is that unity of thought and action with good intentions and right outcomes is not only possible but inevitable, with just a little faith in the nobility of man.

By Rodney Richards, NJ