A New Era: UBI, Democratic Reform, & Sustainability
Pilot Programs, Voting Changes, and Sustainable Solutions for a Better Tomorrow
Hello Political Reading Recap readers,
I hope you’re all doing well! This week, I’ve gathered a diverse collection of articles covering many important topics. From innovative Basic Income programs to significant Democracy reforms, groundbreaking Sustainability solutions, and Joe Biden dropping out of the 2024 election for VP Kamala Harris, there’s plenty to explore.
Here’s a brief look at what’s covered this week:
Basic Income: We explore the employment effects of guaranteed income, Sam Altman’s vision for UBI, findings from various pilot programs, a digital currency UBI in Thailand, perspectives on UBI’s societal impact, and Michael Tubbs’s return to politics.
Democracy: We delve into Supreme Court reform proposals, the need for ranked-choice voting, fusion voting, and addressing political alienation.
Sustainability: This section covers innovations in cybersecurity, AI in waste management, strategies for a circular economy, algae for data center sustainability, solar power’s growth, nuclear energy debates, carbon tax impacts, and new strategies to tackle plastic pollution.
Other: We discuss President Joe Biden dropping out of the 2024 race, Kamala Harris’s policies, foreign policy updates, and significant security aid across the Indo-Pacific.
I’d love to hear from you! If you have any news you’d like included or questions you’d like answered in future newsletters, please comment them down below.
Basic Income
Pilot Programs
Employment Effects of Guaranteed Income: A study examining how guaranteed income affects employment rates and economic stability
Sam Altman’s Vision for UBI: An article discussing Sam Altman’s ambitious plans for implementing Universal Basic Income and its potential societal benefits
Cash Benefits Improve Health Outcomes: A randomized study in Chelsea, Massachusetts, found that cash benefits significantly improved health care utilization and overall health outcomes in a low-income community.
Fresno’s Guaranteed Income Program: Fresno’s initiative to provide low-income residents with monthly debit cards to improve financial stability
Thailand’s Digital Currency UBI: Thailand’s innovative approach to UBI using digital currency to provide financial stability to its citizens
St. Louis Lawsuit: A judge halts July’s $220K payment from St. Louis’s guaranteed basic income program due to a legal challenge
Perspectives
UBI’s Societal Impact: Exploring whether Universal Basic Income is about to transform society
UBI and AI: Can Universal Basic Income save us from the destabilization of AI and automation?
Electoral Opportunity
Michael Tubbs’s Return: Former Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs re-enters the political arena, advocating for UBI and other progressive policies
Democracy
Supreme Court Reform
Supreme Court Reform Proposals: President Biden’s proposals for reforming the Supreme Court to ensure its integrity and impartiality.
Embracing Court Reform: An opinion piece advocating for court reform to defend democracy.
Voting Reform
Ranked-Choice Voting: The growing need for ranked-choice voting to improve electoral fairness and representation.
Fusion Voting: An exploration of fusion voting and its potential to enhance political representation.
Addressing Political Alienation: Strategies to bridge the gap and address political alienation among voters.
Sustainability
Innovation
Cybersecurity in a Net-Zero World: The future of cybersecurity as we transition to a net-zero world
AI in Waste Management: How AI technology is revolutionizing recycling and waste management
Circular Economy Strategies: 6 transformative Strategies for building a nature-positive circular economy
Algae for Data Center Sustainability: The potential of algae to enhance data center sustainability
Clean Energy
Solar Power Growth: Solar power remains the largest source of new US energy capacity for the ninth consecutive month
Investor Doubts on Solar: Investor uncertainty grows as the Coalition’s nuclear proposal casts doubt on the future support for solar projects
Restarting Retired Reactors: A new trend emerges as efforts to restart retired nuclear reactors gain momentum, signaling a shift in the nuclear industry
Nuclear Energy’s Role: An analysis argues that nuclear power must be part of the solution to achieve global clean energy goals
Regulation
Carbon Tax Impacts: Exploring 18 ways a carbon tax could tackle the climate crisis and drive significant environmental benefits
Denmark’s Livestock CO2 Tax: Denmark becomes the first country to introduce a carbon tax on livestock emissions, aiming to reduce greenhouse gases
Plastic Pollution Strategy: The Biden-Harris administration releases a new strategy to tackle plastic pollution, including phasing out single-use plastics in federal operations by 2035
Other
President Joe Biden Drops Out & Kamala Harris 2024
Biden Drops Out & Harris 2024: President Joe Biden drops out of the 2024 race, and Kamala Harris steps in with her policies on housing, climate, and more
World Leaders React: Global reactions to President Biden’s decision to withdraw from the 2024 race
Harris’s Housing Policy: Kamala Harris’s housing policy for the 2024 election
Harris’s Health Policy: Kamala Harris’s health policy for the 2024 election
Harris’s Climate Policy: What a Kamala Harris presidency would mean for the climate
Harris vs. Trump vs RFK Jr.: Comparing Kamala Harris’s, Donald Trump’s and RFK Jr.’s policies for the 2024 election
Foreign Policy
US Floating Pier Off Gaza: The US’s floating pier off Gaza and its implications
Russia Intercepts US Bombers: Russian fighter jets intercept US B-52H bombers over the Barents Sea
Armenia-US Military Drills: Armenia launches joint military drills with the US amid souring relations with Russia
Indo-Pacific Security Aid: The US is close to sending $2 billion in security aid across the Indo-Pacific