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Is this the end of history? Or are we destined to live in a plutocracy?

Duration: 0:19:40.290612

In this podcast episode, host Edson Nascimento welcomes listeners and introduces the main theme: whether we are witnessing the "end of history" in terms of economics and public policy, based on the ideas presented in Francis Fukuyama's book "The End of History and the Last Man." Fukuyama argued that liberal democracy and capitalism represent the ultimate evolutionary stage of human governance, suggesting that these systems would ultimately prevail globally. Nascimento highlights Fukuyama's perspective, which, although initially controversial, posited that capitalist liberal democracy was the pinnacle of socio-cultural development. However, he contrasts this with recent discussions from economist Branco Milanovic, who argues in a new article that history has not reached a definitive endpoint. Milanovic contends that multiple political and economic systems still exist today, specifically pointing to the competition between liberal democracy, exemplified by the U.S. and many European nations, and what he describes as a "political capitalism," akin to the system in China. The episode notes that while China identifies as communist, its economy operates within capitalist frameworks, marked by significant private ownership and global investments. Nascimento emphasizes the dynamic nature of China's economy and its meritocratic governance model, where officials are incentivized to meet aggressive growth targets, fostering rapid economic development. However, he also critiques China for its lack of civil liberties and democratic freedoms, contrasting it with the values upheld in liberal democratic societies. Overall, the discussion invites listeners to contemplate the viability of different political and economic systems in the modern world.

Language: Brazilian Portuguese
Topics: The "end of history" in economics

"Energies and the fate of planet Earth" series: biomass!

Duration: 0:11:24.181927

In an interview, Marco Bravo discussed the importance of biomass energy in Brazil as part of a broader series on sustainable energy sources. He explained that Brazil has the potential to become a global leader in biomass energy production, particularly from sugarcane byproducts like bagasse. Biomass, derived from plant materials, serves as a renewable energy source and can be converted into energy through combustion. Brazil produces both ethanol from sugarcane juice and additional ethanol from bagasse, which can also be used to generate energy. Bravo highlighted the economic advantages of converting bagasse into bioplastics, noting that while burning a ton of bagasse costs $20, producing bioplastics from it can range from $1,000 to $4,000, reflecting a growing market. He emphasized that biomass energy plays a significant role in Brazil's energy matrix, contributing around 9% of the country's energy. Despite being surpassed by China and India, Brazil has a storied history with ethanol, dating back to the 1970s, and now possesses advanced technology in sustainable energy production. The conversation also touched on climate change, with Bravo stressing the urgent need for carbon reduction strategies to mitigate extreme heat events, which are increasingly prevalent due to both seasonal changes and human-induced climate factors. He advocated for cleaner technologies and sustainable fuel sources, such as ethanol, wind, solar energy, and green hydrogen, as essential steps toward addressing the challenges posed by climate change.

Language: Brazilian Portuguese
Topics: EnergyBrazil's Biomass Energy Potential and Economic Benefits

Call - What is the Underground Economy?

Duration: 0:18:11.574444

Welcome everyone to the podcast "Economia Durante," focusing on institutional economics. I'm Fernando, an economist and keen on the history of economic ideas; alongside me are Felipe Almeida, a professor at the Federal University of Paraná, and Ramon, a professor at UFF ABC. We're here to explore our shared interest in institutional economics and discuss how we each became curious about this school of thought. Fernando shares that his interest began during his undergraduate and graduate studies, sparked by a dissatisfaction with traditional economic theories that oversimplified human behavior. He found resonance in institutional economic texts, which provided a more realistic understanding of human interactions and allowed for interdisciplinary analysis. He sees institutional economics as a rich but underexplored field, especially in Brazil. Felipe recounts that his journey also began in college but was more rooted in curiosity than rebellion. He was introduced to Neo-Schumpeterian approaches in the industrial studies at UFRJ, which centered on technological innovation's role in capitalism. As he encountered traditional economic theories related to Newtonian paradigms, he grew curious about the aspects they overlooked, like consumer behavior. This drive led him to seek out theories that could better explain consumer actions, ultimately guiding him towards institutional economics. Ramon mentions his introduction to the field through Felipe and highlights a shared interest in understanding the history of economic thought. This podcast aims to fill a gap in discussions about economic analysis beyond mere economic conditions, focusing on a perspective that has resonated with the three of them. Finally, they reflect on the podcast as a convergence of their desires to create a collective platform for discussing institutional economics, stepping beyond their individual academic pursuits to explore and share insights as a community.

Language: Brazilian Portuguese
Topics: Institutional Economics

What is reverse logistics and its environmental impacts!

Duration: 0:11:34

The discussion focuses on environmental awareness and sustainability, highlighting the shared responsibility in waste management as mandated by Brazil's law on solid waste (Law 12,305 of 2010). It emphasizes the need for education on proper waste disposal, especially for products such as expired medications and batteries, to avoid contamination and environmental harm. The importance of reverse logistics is stressed, which involves returning expired or unused products to manufacturers. The conversation includes examples of successful initiatives, such as discounts provided when returning used batteries and the recycling of aluminum cans. However, challenges remain in the recycling of materials like PET and glass, indicating the need for better infrastructure and consumer awareness. The talk also addresses the serious environmental issues caused by improper disposal of electronic waste, which contains heavy metals, and emphasizes the responsibility of manufacturers in collecting expired products and properly managing hazardous materials. Increasing public awareness and conveying the message about the consequences of waste disposal on health and the environment are key aspects of this discussion. Ultimately, the dialogue advocates for a collective effort involving consumers, manufacturers, and the government to improve waste management practices and promote sustainability.

Language: Brazilian Portuguese
Topics: Environmental Challenges

Davos and climate change, digital fragmentation and health systems in crisis

Duration: 0:14:18.070204

The podcast discusses the implications of World Economic Forum risks for 2020, particularly focusing on three main themes: climate change, geopolitical fragmentation, and the challenges faced by healthcare systems. The host, Edson Nascimento, elaborates on how economic concerns have intensified as fiscal and monetary policies worldwide become increasingly constrained, leading to dissatisfaction within local populations. Climate change is highlighted as an urgent issue, with the past five years potentially being the warmest on record, resulting in extreme weather events and contributing to geopolitical tension, particularly in the Arctic, where nations compete for resources such as gas and fish due to melting ice. The podcast also addresses the digital realm, noting how emerging technologies like 5G and cryptocurrencies create military maneuvering in cyberspace. The lack of international governance increases transaction costs and complicates the regulatory landscape for digital currencies, impacting national sovereignty. Finally, the podcast underscores the stress on public health systems, revealing that many previously eradicated diseases, such as polio, persist in certain countries. The rise of vaccine hesitancy and antibiotic resistance further threatens healthcare advances made over recent decades, putting public health goals at risk. The conversation aims to bring experts to discuss these critical issues, emphasizing their relevance to our everyday lives.

Language: Brazilian Portuguese
Topics: Global Risks: Climate, Geopolitics, and EconomyChallenges in Technology and Public Health