Ana Catarina  Kaizeler
 SOCIUS - Research Centre in Economic Sociology and the Sociology of Organizations, Lisbon, Portugal

Horácio C. Faustino
ISEG, Technical University of Lisbon and SOCIUS

Rafael J. Marques
ISEG, Technical University of Lisbon and SOCIUS ABSTRACT

In a global economy, global, universal ethics are a necessity. How can ethics be connected to the economy in an interdependent world? From all the different theories on ethics, which one should we choose?  Does utilitarianism and the maximization of utility  promote the happiness of all, or does it promote selfishness? What is the role of the international institutions in the definition and the respect of universal duties and rights? What is the relationship between the two waves of globalization and the income distribution inequality around the world? These are the questions that this paper raises and attempts to answer, putting forward some contributions to the definition of a global ethic based on duties, virtues and fraternity; a universal ethic which reconciles the partiality of  feelings with the impartiality of duties; an ethic which reconciles justice with solidarity; an ethic in which the means justify the ends. Key Words: Ethics, Globalization, Trade, Utility, Justice, Solidarity.JEL : A13, F01, F02, F13, I38
Addresses:
Ana Catarina  Kaizeler (corresponding author)
Rua José Leilote, nº 10
1900 – 280  Lisboa, Portugal
T: (+351) 93 907 99 87 ;  Email: catarinakaizeler@gmail.com
Horácio Crespo Faustino
ISEG – Instituto Superior de Economia e Gestão. Rua Miguel Lúpi, 20.
1249-078 Lisboa, Portugal

T: (+351) 21 392 59 02 ; Fax: (00351) 21 396 64 07 ; E-mail: faustino@iseg.utl.pt