Jamál, 01 Jamál (Beauty), 182 B.E.
Social Action: Underlying Concepts and Principles
Quotes for Reflection:
As we view the world around us, we are compelled to observe the manifold evidences of that universal fermentation which, in every continent of the globe and in every department of human life, be it religious, social, economic or political, is purging and reshaping humanity in anticipation of the Day when the wholeness of the human race will have been recognized and its unity established. A twofold process, however, can be distinguished, each tending, in its own way and with an accelerated momentum, to bring to a climax the forces that are transforming the face of our planet. The first is essentially an integrating process, while the second is fundamentally disruptive. The former, as it steadily evolves, unfolds a System which may well serve as a pattern for that world polity towards which a strangely-disordered world is continually advancing; while the latter, as its disintegrating influence deepens, tends to tear down, with increasing violence, the antiquated barriers that seek to block humanity’s progress towards its destined goal. The constructive process stands associated with the nascent Faith of Bahá’u’lláh, and is the harbinger of the New World Order that Faith must erelong establish. The destructive forces that characterize the other should be identified with a civilization that has refused to answer to the expectation of a new age, and is consequently falling into chaos and decline. — Shoghi Effendi 1 2
Question for Consideration
What is the two-fold process transforming the face of the planet and what does it signify for humanity?
Perplexity Pro Response 3
In the quoted passage, Shoghi Effendi describes a profound transformation underway in human society, characterized by a twofold process:
- An integrating (constructive) process
- A disruptive (disintegrative) process [1]
Integrating (Constructive) Process
This process is essentially integrative, steadily evolving to unfold a system that could serve as a model for a future world order. It is associated with the teachings and emerging community life of the Bahá’í Faith, which aims to establish the unity and wholeness of the human race. This constructive process is described as the harbinger of a New World Order-a global civilization founded on justice, cooperation, and the oneness of humanity [1].
Key features include:
- Fostering unity among diverse peoples, races, and nations.
- Building new patterns of community life based on spiritual and material advancement.
- Promoting principles such as justice, universal participation, and the harmony of science and religion.
- Encouraging social action, education, and the elimination of prejudice [1].
Disruptive (Disintegrative) Process
In contrast, the disruptive process is fundamentally disintegrative. It is marked by the breakdown of old social, political, economic, and religious structures that are no longer adequate for the needs of a maturing humanity. This process is characterized by chaos, decline, and the violent tearing down of antiquated barriers that impede progress toward global unity [1].
Signs of this process include:
- The collapse of long-standing institutions and norms.
- Increasing social and political turmoil.
- The exposure of injustices and inequalities that can no longer be sustained.
- The loss of purpose and cohesion in societies clinging to outdated ideologies [1].
What This Signifies for Humanity
The twofold process is not merely a cycle of destruction and creation, but a necessary transition in the evolution of human society.
- The disintegrative forces, though devastating, clear away obstacles to progress, making space for new forms of cooperation and unity to emerge.
- The integrative forces, animated by new spiritual and social principles, guide humanity toward its collective maturity and the realization of its oneness [1].
The Goal: Unity and Maturity
According to Bahá’í teachings, humanity is undergoing a transition akin to adolescence, moving toward the “age of maturity”-a stage where the unity of the human race becomes both possible and inevitable [1]. The ultimate goal is a world civilization in which:
- The oneness of humanity is recognized and institutionalized.
- Justice and cooperation replace conflict and competition.
- Diversity is embraced within a framework of unity, not uniformity.
- Every individual and community participates in building a prosperous and peaceful world [1].
The Role of Individuals and Communities
Both processes are at work in every sphere of life. Bahá’ís and like-minded individuals are encouraged to align themselves with the integrative process by:
- Building vibrant communities founded on spiritual principles.
- Engaging in social action and public discourse to promote justice and unity.
- Viewing the turbulence of the age as part of a necessary transition, not as a cause for despair, but as a call to constructive action [1].
“Behind so much of the turbulence and commotion of contemporary life are the fits and starts of a humanity struggling to come of age. … Bahá’ís are encouraged to see in the revolutionary changes taking place in every sphere of life the interaction of two fundamental processes. One is destructive in nature, while the other is integrative-both serve to carry humanity, each in its own way, along the path leading towards its full maturity.”
— The Universal House of Justice [1]
Summary Table
| Process | Nature | Associated With | Outcome/Goal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Integrative | Constructive | Bahá’í Faith, New World Order | Unity, justice, world civilization, maturity |
| Disintegrative | Disruptive | Old world order | Collapse of outdated systems, removal of barriers |
Conclusion
The twofold process described by Shoghi Effendi signifies a period of profound transition for humanity. The destructive forces are dismantling obsolete structures, while the constructive forces are laying the foundations for a unified, just, and peaceful global society. This dynamic interaction is leading humanity toward the recognition of its wholeness and the establishment of its unity-the hallmark of its collective maturity [1].
Citations
Follow-Up Questions Proposed by Perplexity
- How does the integrating process contribute to the establishment of a New World Order?
- What are the key characteristics of the disruptive forces mentioned in the text?
- How does the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh relate to the integrating process?
- What role does the destructive process play in the current state of the world?
- How can humanity balance the integrating and disruptive processes?
- Research Department of the Universal House of Justice. “Social Action.” Bahá’í Reference Library, August 2020. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/compilations/social-action/2#180873842. ↩
- Effendi, Shoghi. The World Order of Baháʾuʾlláh: Selected Letters. Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed April 26, 2025. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/shoghi-effendi/world-order-bahaullah/10#234718566. ↩
- Perplexity Pro. “The Two-Fold Process Transforming the Planet.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. April 26, 2025. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/as-we-view-the-world-around-us-ZxVl4FfYTAaNNAt938Vq2Q. ↩
Frameworks for Understanding the World 