A new version of the Bahá’í Reference Library is now available. This ‘old version’ of the Bahá’í Reference Library will be replaced at a later date.
The new version of the Bahá’i Reference Library can be accessed here »
“The question of socialization is very important. It will not be…” |
The question of socialization is very important. It will not be
solved by strikes for wages. All the governments of the world must be
united and organize an assembly the members of which should be
elected from the parliaments and the nobles of the nations. These
must plan with utmost wisdom and power so that neither the capitalist
suffer from enormous losses nor the laborers become needy. In the
utmost moderation they should make the law; then announce to the
public that the rights of the working people are to be strongly preserved.
Also the rights of the capitalists are to be protected. When
such a general plan is adopted by the will of both sides, should a
strike occur, all the governments of the world collectively should resist
it. Otherwise, the labor problem will lead to much destruction, especially
in Europe. Terrible things will take place.
|
For instance, the owners of properties, mines and factories should
share their incomes with their employees and give a fairly certain
percentage of their products to their workingmen in order that the
employees may receive, beside their wages, some of the general income
of the factory so that the employee may strive with his soul in
the work.
|
No more trusts will remain in the future. The question of the
trusts will be wiped away entirely. Also, every factory that has ten
thousand shares will give two thousand shares of these ten thousand
to its employees and will write the shares in their names, so that they
may have them, and the rest will belong to the capitalists. Then at
the end of the month or year whatever they may earn after the expenses
and wages are paid, according to the number of shares, should
be divided among both. In reality, so far great injustice has befallen
44
the common people. Laws must be made because it is impossible for
the laborers to be satisfied with the present system. They will strike
every month and every year. Finally, the capitalists will lose. In
ancient times a strike occurred among the Turkish soldiers. They said
to the government: “Our wages are very small and they should be
increased.” The government was forced to give them their demands.
Shortly afterwards they struck again. Finally all the incomes went
to the pockets of the soldiers to the extent that they killed the king,
saying: “Why didst thou not increase the income so that we might
have received more?”
|
But in the divine teachings equality is brought about through a
ready willingness to share. It is commanded as regards wealth that
the rich among the people, and the aristocrats should, by their own
free will and for the sake of their own happiness, concern themselves
with and care for the poor. This equality is the result of the lofty
characteristics and noble attributes of mankind.
|