Ethics, Politics & Society

Beyond the Lab

Steven Umbrello — 2024-09-06

Carne Coltivata: Etica dell’agricoltura cellulare by Luca Lo Sapio critically explores the ethical, environmental, and cultural ramifications of cellular agriculture, particularly cultivated meat. Through a philosophical lens, Lo Sapio evaluates the potential of this technology to address ethical concerns tied to traditional meat production, such as animal welfare, environmental sustainability, and health implications. However, the book also critiques the potential cultural and ecological consequences of detaching meat production from traditional agricultural practices. Lo Sapio's discourse navigates the complex interplay between technological progress and the intrinsic value of natural life processes, urging a balanced consideration of cultivated meat's implications on global food cultures, food sovereignty, and the sanctity of life.

Introduction. The Financial Question

Catarina Neves — 2024-09-06

Fundaments of an Ecological Unconditional Basic Income

Thiago Souza — 2024-09-06

The present article debates the fundamental points of an Ecological UBI proposal. First, a literature review on Ecological/Environmental Ethics is brought up. Green Republicanism also sets up a theoretical foundation for an Ecological UBI. Besides, post-productivism and degrowth goals are imperative for humankind to deal with the present ecological urgencies, as seen in the UBI theory that is also brought up. Based on this literature review, the article proposes fundamental points to an Ecological UBI: (i) the funding should come from the taxation of resource extraction (not only fuel extraction) and income/wealth concentration; (ii) the coordination of different public policies to decommodify fundamental needs; (iii) the sufficiency of the Basic Income payment for the individual to have their basic needs satisfied without the necessity to work; (iv) the stimulation of regional/circular economies. Ecologism does not make it unfeasible for short-term environmental measures, also relevant concerning green and fair transition.

Rare Earth Metals and Sovereign Wealth in Portugal: A Basis for Preserving Common Wealth and Establishing Unconditional Basic Income

Richard Pereira — 2024-09-06

New natural assets such as lithium discovered in Portugal have the potential to supplement the financing of an Unconditional Basic Income (UBI) and a Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF). Rare earth metals can provide both windfall profits, as well as ecological devastation, for both current and future generations of citizens depending on how the resource is managed. Many natural and social assets that can be partially converted into public goods such as a UBI are considered here. Lithium mining does not need to be pursued in Portugal, but if it proceeds, it is just one of a myriad of public assets that must benefit members of the community as a first priority. UBI paid at a high level is affordable and feasible in Portugal, without cuts to social services or contributory social insurance programmes. Paired with a SWF to benefit future citizens and invest locally, distributive justice can be optimally achieved.

Unconditional Basic Income in Portugal: How Can We Afford It?

João Vasco Gama — 2024-09-06

We present an implementation proposal of an Unconditional Basic Income (UBI) for Portugal that does not consider second-order effects. We argue that the implementation of a first step towards UBI (an Unconditional Income with a lower amount) not only is politically more feasible than a complete implementation, but also allows for a better estimation of the economic consequences of each consecutive step. We present an implementation proposal based on Pigouvian taxes aimed at addressing the environmental challenges humanity faces. We estimate the optimal Unconditional Income based on Pigouvian taxes as 104.1€, and we find that 62% of Portuguese households would increase their real disposable income. The richest households would face a 8.4% decrease in their real disposable income while the poorest would face a 52.3% increase. We discuss the long-term effects of this proposal and how to bridge it with a future UBI implementation.