Right answers can only follow the right questions. Anything else would be an exercise in word games. Hence, the process of finding answers starts with defining the issues that characterize the question.
This paper is more about defining and characterizing the question of world government, what it means, what its boundaries are, who its players are, why it is necessary or even desirable, and the role of the Bahá'í Faith, its principles, and its institutions in such world government. This paper is also about finding some of the major problems in the process of creating it.
The purpose and functions of government and its history and forms are briefly explored. The concept of a governing body is extended from a localized entity to a global entity while considering the issues of scale that are encountered in such extension. Some of the specific functions and purposes of government that are briefly addressed include creation and enforcement of laws, safeguarding public welfare and individual rights, education, national security, promotion of arts and sciences and industry, creation and maintenance of infrastructure such as roads and utilities, and the processes associated with these functions such as elections.
Each of the above functions raise many questions as to their nature and scope, but there are some overarching issues that relate to them all. One, is the issue of the integration of various, and often incompatible, governments along with their respective nations, cultures, and histories into one world government and one world community.
What is not included here are definitive answers. Given the complexity and scope of this subject, even identifying at least a few of the important issues is a difficult proposition at best, let alone defining all the right questions and coming up with the right answers.
