Global commodity dividend
The global raw material dividend (gRd) is a concept for combating global poverty and for a more equitable use of raw materials, especially in north-south trade between industrialized and developing countries. It was developed by Thomas Pogge , professor of political philosophy and ethics at Yale University .
Basic idea
Pogge starts from the observation that many of the raw materials traded today originate in developing countries with largely dictatorial governments. These governments often pass on any income to the local population on a very small scale, which, in his opinion, constitutes a violation of the “property rights” of this population group to the country's resources. In order to translate the issue of justice into practical politics, Pogge proposes a global commodity tax that would have to be paid by anyone who privately appropriates commodities. The proceeds from this would benefit the population of the country of origin as a dividend and could be used there for improvements in the areas of nutrition, education and political equality. The distribution could be done by governments or non-governmental organizations. If this is not possible or expedient, Pogge suggests withholding the funds temporarily.
Dividend amount
Pogge suggests targeting an annual dividend of at least $ 300 billion, equivalent to a commodities tax of around 1% of the price. This would be enough to eradicate poverty in the world (as defined by the UN).
Possibilities of implementation
The concept can then be implemented if the EU and the USA move forward together. This would create enough pressure in the international raw material markets to get most of the other countries to participate.
The money raised could be administered and distributed by an international non-governmental organization. A “world government” is not necessary for this. This organization would follow rules that could be established by constitutional lawyers, economists, and other experts. If a recipient government were to embezzle the money or only give it to a small elite, it would be excluded from the system. In such cases, the money could benefit the population through non-governmental organizations .
criticism
A global commodity tax would make the price of natural resources more expensive and could thus dampen the growth in the use of raw materials and thus the economic growth in the industrialized countries. Pogge counters this by stating that this is a desirable side effect, since the unsustainable use of fossil raw materials must decrease anyway. A global commodity dividend would, e.g. B. fossil fuels are more expensive, provide impetus for a more sustainable use of raw materials.
Although many raw materials are further processed, environmental damage would only be partially taken into account in a global raw material dividend, as this begins very early in the manufacturing process.
See also
literature
- Tim Hayward: "Thomas Pogge's Global Resource Dividend: A Critique and an Alternative". Journal of Moral Philosophy. Vol. 2 (3): 317-332
Web links
Individual evidence
- ^ Pogge, T. (1998) 'A Global Resources Dividend', in D Crocker, T Linden (eds.) Ethics of Consumption. The Good Life, Justice, and Global Stewardship, New York, Rowman and Littlefield
- ↑ Interview with Prof. Pogge on the global commodity dividend, Youtube
- ↑ Thomas Pogge (1994). To Egalitarian Law of Peoples. Philosophy and Public Affairs