The unfolding of Khazzoom-Brooke’s Postulate that as we innovate to optimize efficient uses of resources, consumption rebounded at higher rates ; forces of production increase to generate more growth is finally on collision course with planetary boundaries & ever declining social justice. We examine (a) sources & persistence of poverty despite economic growth, where the wealthiest 5 individuals now have more wealth than the bottom 1/2 of world population. (b) the impact of this unfettered growth on climate change in face of planetary boundaries, and (c) how certain principles of the Bahai Faith provide a new global construct to address this outcome.
In 2017 the Universal House of Justice offered a seminal letter that raised the principle of economic justice more prominently in our collective consciousness. Juxtaposing economic justice with America’s race unity challenge creates a fascinating opportunity to examine both principles. Various sincere experiments have attempted to reduce wealth inequity post-the U.S. Civil War. This presentation will consider prominent examples, and their efficacy in mitigating structural and generational poverty. The cases will be viewed critically through the Faith’s view of societal prosperity. Finally, we will examine the Institution of Huquq’u’llah’s role in providing an economic justice framework.
