Tag Archives: unconditional basic income

Revolution or evolution? The dilemma between making a new beginning and continuing with what exists is a basic question in every decision. The Portuguese social state is in a dangerously difficult situation. More than two million people (20% of the population) live below the subsistence level. The state’s debt mountain is also extremely high. Treating the symptoms is no longer enough. Sometimes it becomes clear that clinging on to old structures will certainly lead into the abyss. There’s no point in stabilising the walls, when the whole house starts to slide. Then what is needed is a new build. A …

The documentary originally entitled “Grundeinkommen – ein Kulturimpuls” – “Basic income, a cultural impulse” in English – is a film-essay by Daniel Häni and Enno Schmidt lasting 100 minutes, produced in Switzerland in 2008. It is a key element in the campaign of the global movement that is fighting for the Unconditional Basic Income (UBI). It helps us to demystify and understand the formula which would make it possible to put this plan into practice, which would deliver conditions and rights so that everyone would be able to live decently. For this, the documentary points us towards a path where …

ECO123: Are you working in Braga at present? Roberto Merrill: Yes, I came back to Portugal as a post-doctoral researcher funded by the FCT (Foundation of Science and Technology). I did research in political philosophy and two weeks ago I went to live in Braga, because I managed to arrange a miracle there: a post as a lecturer, so I’m feeling very fulfilled. How did you get involved with the unconditional basic income movement? My doctoral thesis in political philosophy was about the neutrality of the state. The topic of what it is that makes the authority of the state …

An essay by Theobald Tiger Do you know the feeling? You do something just for your own sake. Simply because it’s fun. Because you’re interested in it. Or because it represents a challenge. The best example: an author writes a story. A fashion designer creates a hat. A painter paints a picture. Then the other side of the coin: you carry out a particular task because you expect some advantage from it, for example, a reward, a salary, a profit, a return on an investment etc. Or because you wish to avoid disadvantages or a punishment. Do we go to …