Fidál, 09 Raḥmat (Mercy), 182 B.E.
Social Action: The Nature of Bahá’í Social and Economic Development
Quotes for Reflection:
There are two principles which the House of Justice feels are fundamental to the generality of such projects of social and economic development, although, of course, there will be exceptions. The first is that they should be built on a substructure of existing, sufficiently strong local Bahá’í communities. The second is that the long-term conduct of the project should aim at self-sufficiency and not be dependent upon continuing financial support from outside.
The first principle implies that the projects of social and economic development now to be undertaken are a natural stage of the growth of the Bahá’í community and are needed by the community itself, although they will, of course, benefit a much wider segment of society….
The second principle must take into account that any project started by the Cause should be designed to grow soundly and steadily, and not to collapse from attrition. In other words, external assistance and funds, Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í, may be used for capital acquisitions, to make surveys, to initiate activities, to bring in expertise, but the aim should be for each project to be able to continue and to develop on the strength of local Bahá’í labour, funds and enthusiasm even if all external aid should be cut off. — Universal House of Justice 1
Question for Consideration
How do projects started by the Cause based on “two principles which the House of Justice feels are fundamental to the generality of such projects of social and economic development” differ from projects initiated by others?
Perplexity Pro Response 2
Projects started by the Bahá’í community (“the Cause”) based on the two fundamental principles articulated by the Universal House of Justice differ significantly from many projects initiated by others, both in their underlying philosophy and in their approach to sustainability and community involvement.
The Two Principles
Foundation on Strong Local Bahá’í Communities
- Projects should be built on a substructure of existing, sufficiently strong local Bahá’í communities. This means that development efforts are a natural stage in the organic growth of the Bahá’í community, arising from its own needs and capacities, even as they benefit the broader society. The implication is that these projects are not imposed from outside, but grow out of the community’s own maturation and collective will [1].
- This principle ensures that social and economic development is rooted in community participation, ownership, and spiritual motivation. The community itself identifies needs, makes decisions, and takes responsibility for execution and maintenance, fostering a sense of stewardship and empowerment [1].
Aim for Long-Term Self-Sufficiency
- The long-term conduct of the project should aim at self-sufficiency and not rely on ongoing external financial support. While initial outside assistance (Bahá’í or non-Bahá’í) may be used for capital, surveys, or expertise, the goal is that the project can continue and develop through local Bahá’í labor, funds, and enthusiasm—even if all external aid ceases [1].
- This guards against dependency, ensuring that projects are sustainable, resilient, and truly integrated into the fabric of community life, rather than being vulnerable to the withdrawal of outside support [1].
How These Principles Distinguish Bahá’í-Initiated Projects
| Bahá’í-Initiated Projects | Typical Externally-Initiated Projects |
|---|---|
| Built on the strength and maturity of local community; arise organically from within | Often designed and implemented by external agencies, sometimes with limited local input |
| Community identifies needs, participates in decision-making, and owns the process | Needs may be identified by outsiders; implementation may be top-down |
| Aim for long-term self-sufficiency; external support is temporary and catalytic | May depend on ongoing external funding or management |
| Emphasize spiritual as well as material development; coherence between both dimensions | Often focus primarily on material outcomes, with less attention to spiritual or social transformation |
| Foster local capacity, participation, and empowerment | Risk of creating dependency or lack of local ownership if not carefully managed |
| Projects are a natural stage of community growth and are needed by the community itself | Projects may be externally motivated or designed to fit donor priorities |
Supporting Details
Ownership and Responsibility
Experience has shown that when locals are involved in identifying needs and in decision-making, they feel responsible for the project’s preservation and continued operation. When projects are imposed or managed externally, this sense of responsibility is often lacking, leading to less sustainable outcomes [1].
Organic Growth
The Bahá’í approach is likened to the growth of a tree: gradual, organic, and responsive to the stage of community development. Projects are not “planted” in isolation but grow as the community matures [1].
Coherence of Material and Spiritual Aims
Bahá’í projects strive for a dynamic coherence between material and spiritual requirements, seeing social and economic development as inseparable from the community’s spiritual life and values [1].
Learning and Participation
The process is characterized by ongoing action, reflection, consultation, and study, enabling communities to adapt and improve their efforts over time [1].
In summary, Bahá’í-initiated projects differ from many others in that they are community-driven, spiritually motivated, and designed for sustainability and self-sufficiency, rather than being externally imposed or perpetually dependent on outside resources. This approach seeks to empower communities, foster genuine participation, and ensure that development is both meaningful and enduring [1].
Citations
[3] Agile vs Traditional Project Management: A Guide for Modern Leaders – Six Sigma
[4] 12 vital project management principles – Atlassian
[5] Doctrine of Double Effect – Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
[6] Types of Project Management: Methodologies, Industries, and More – Coursera
[7] Human Genome Project – National Human Genome Research Institute
[8] Principles and Process in Community Development – Open Library
[9] Cialdini’s 6 Principles of Persuasion: A Simple Summary – The World of Work
[10] Root Cause Analysis Explained: Definition, Examples, and Methods – Tableau from Salesforce
[11] Stakeholder analysis – Project Management Institute
Follow-Up Approaches Proposed by Perplexity
- Explore examples of Bahá’í community-led development projects.
- Compare sustainability approaches in Bahá’í and secular projects.
- Investigate how local labor and funds are mobilized in these projects.
- Analyze challenges faced when external aid is withdrawn from projects.
- Examine the role of spiritual principles in guiding project growth.
- Research Department of the Universal House of Justice. “Social Action.” Bahá’í Reference Library, August 2020. https://www.bahai.org/r/892734664. ↩
- Perplexity Pro. “Principles for Bahá’í Initiated Social and Economic Development Projects.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. June 30, 2025. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/there-are-two-principles-which-XY4fnIUrQj2SLz.IG8jz.w. ↩
Frameworks for Understanding the World 