Nazip Khamitov has a PHD in philosophy, he is a writer, a leading researcher and a Colleague at the institute of philosophy, and he is a founder of Meta-Anthropology: the study of the daily, highest and furthering of the being of humans. Author of more than 20 books, of which most well-known are: “Philosophy: Being, Human and World,” “Loneliness of Men and Women,” “Aphorism of Force,” and “Ethics: The Path to Beautiful Relations”. The last of which was co-authored by Svitlana Krylova.
Do you think that a Basic Income, as discussed in Germany, is an option for Ukraine? Do you think that Ukraine is “ripe” for such an idea?
A Basic Income is setting people free in what ever country it is being introduced to, and it would be no different in Ukraine. It is something different, because the freedom is taken from immature people by a basic income. [These immature people are people who cannot deal with freedom and rely material goods and money to be happy. ]
What is your understanding of a Basic Income?
Basic Income is an opportunity for every member of society to remove the fear and sorrow of possible financial squalor. It frees humankind, gives them self-confidence and helps them through personal development. Simultaneously, it frees humankind from the dependence of a free employer. In return, a free employer gets more independence from competitors and consumers; they are just the result of his work. A Basic Income softens the relation to the world on the one hand for commodities and goods – and on the other hand for competitors and objects of manipulation. A Basic Income could be a catalyst for the beauty of engagement between humans. (However, for people of a day to day life, who live just for the pleasures of life, and to perpetuate and reproduce; a Basic Income could destroy the beauty of relation to himself and the world.)
Is there discussion about this idea in Ukraine?
Unfortunately, there is no discussion about a Basic Income in Ukraine, yet. Furthermore there are only a few who understand, what a Basic Income is. But a discussion about this topic has potential and I expect a sufficient social response.
Had there been any talks of Basic Income during the Soviet regime? If so, how was it perceived?
The idea of Basic Income was accompanied with the idea of communism – a society, where the principle governs: “From each according to their ability, to each according to their need.” But in the 1970s/80s, nobody in the Soviet Union believed that this principle would be realized.
How would you describe the working morale in Ukraine? What kind of effects would a regular, existence-securing monetary payment have on the working morale of the population?
I think, in Ukraine there is such a mentality that the majority would still work in spite of a Basic Income. There are enough reasons to guess that this matches the Slavic mentality in general.
Are there any differences between the working morale between the population of towns and villages? How is this justified by history?
The working morale in villages of Ukraine is more focused on the individual, but the population of towns it is more directed towards cooperation and communication. Over the centuries, people hid themselves in Ukrainian villages from the monarchs and survived. In towns there were rather brave and more passionate people, who were open to communicate.
How would you describe the Ukrainian understanding of the word fairness? Is it a “solidarity” society? And, would there be something for everyone?
The idea of Basic Income coincides with the understanding of justice according to Ukraine’s lower class who are supported by society. The fact, that there is no open aggression against the rich in Ukraine, allows one to guess, that the practice of a Basic Income for everyone would not be rejected. But politicians, writers, publishers and philosophers must make some clarifications to neutralize envy.
What influence does religion have in distributive justice? How do Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant religions differ from one another?
The distributive justice and the working morality in a society are directly connected to its religion. The Orthodox and Catholic religions differ from Protestant – enriching (even if an honest person tries to obtain asceticism), whereas in Orthodox and Catholic countries, it is not sufficient enough to be religious and please God.
What attitudes do Ukrainians have towards governmental aid? Would they take money from the government and not feel as if they are being “bought?”
Ukrainians respond to governmental aid in an ironic fashion, because it’s too small. What if the governmental aid would be a reasonable compensation? Then I don’t think the Ukrainians would feel “bought”. However it is something different. It is important that everyone must understand that this subsidy from the government is beneficial to their personal development.
Would the “tax compliance” of Ukrainians increase, if an individual would get a “refund” from the state?
I am confident that the “tax compliance” of Ukrainians would change radically in a positive direction.
What influence could a Basic Income have on corruption?
A Basic Income blows up the economical, and the most important, the existential basics of corruption.
How much should a Basic Income in Ukraine be? Should there be regional differences? Should a Basic Income be linked to conditions?
In Ukraine a Basic Income should be at minimum as high as the subsistence level and not less. It should not depend on regional, social or economical differences, otherwise it would not be a Basic Income. In other words: The separation of a Basic Income destroys the Basic Income. Basic Income is a symbolic financial support, which has the sense to overcome loneliness and estrangement. The Basic Income should unite humans and not separate them, although this would happen inevitably, as soon as you begin to differentiate.
