Economics

In Economics, Life
On August 22, 2018

Mass Shootings: What Can We Possibly Do About Them?

My field is economics, so I initially felt hesitant to write about these tragedes—but I reminded myself about the many years I worked in the school system, where my first and foremost responsibility was protecting my precious students from the usual dramas and bullying. So this is my attempt to…

In Economics
On August 7, 2018

We Need To Justify Our Spending

Do we have to justify our spending to anyone? Most people would answer “No—my money is mine, I earned it, and I can spend it any way I want!” Some of those people consider themselves hedonists, a school of thought which argues that pleasure and happiness are the primary or…

In Economics
On July 16, 2018

How Much Profit Margin Do We Need, Anyway ?

The world of economics is based on profit. Without it, there would be no motivation to start a business or company—the whole system would fail. After all, why would anyone exert so much effort for no profit? Sure, there are a few people who work for free, but their motivation…

In Economics, Happiness
On June 25, 2018

The Spiritual Cost of a Higher Standard of Living

Without a doubt, the standard of living has improved since the industrial revolution, particularly for many in the West. There was a time not long ago that phones, color TVs and cars were only for the rich, and the poor could only dream of having them. But now even poor…

In Economics
On May 26, 2018

Suggestions for Community Service

Whether in the Local Spiritual Assembly, Nineteen Day Feast, committee meetings, Junior Youth gatherings, reflection meetings, deepening classes, participation in Ruhi books or doing a soul-searching reflection on how to become a better Baha'i, our thoughts at some point will focus on the role that service to humanity can…

In Economics
On May 14, 2018

The Baha’i Concept of a “Good Loan”

As a person with economic degrees, I get this question fairly often: What’s a fair rate of interest?The rate of interest is an important concept in the economic field, but sadly it has become more of a method of exploitation rather a means of help—particularly to those who struggle to…

In Economics, Happiness, Life
On May 5, 2018

Towards A New Spiritual Economic System

Our present economic system, sick and dying, cannot meet the needs of humanity. The gap between rich and poor continues to grow wider and wider, which has increased the suffering of the masses. The solutions that can heal that suffering have been largely ignored. The time has come to re-examine…

In Economics, Happiness
On April 16, 2018

Gross National Happiness & Other Spiritual Approaches to Wealth

We live in an age in which new ideas are born each day in every field of learning. I find quite interesting the many alternative ideas and theories suggesting new ways of solving our economic problems. As a member of the Baha’i Faith, I like to examine these theories from…

In Economics, Happiness, Life, Religion
On March 18, 2018

Spirituality: The Surprising Solution to Our Economic Problems

Everyone knows we have bodies—but many aren’t so sure about the existence of the soul. Of course, the body has needs—food, clothing, shelter, health care—and it has traditionally been the job of economics to satisfy those needs. Consider this, though: what if the soul and the body are both equally…

In Economics, Life
On February 1, 2018

82% of the wealth generated in 2017 in the world went to the richest 1%

That was the title of the news today and it followed by: "A CEO from one of the world's top five global fashion brands has to work for just four days to earn what a garment worker in Bangladesh will earn in an entire lifetime." This headline was today on…