Towards a Vegan-Based Ethic : Dismantling Neo-Colonial Hierarchy Through an Ethic of Lovingkindness

"The book draws links between colonial and neo-colonial power structures which have sought to maintain hierarchies of dominance, resulting in cruel practices towards people at the bottom of the hierarchy and animals, who, in a colonial mindset, only exist for human gain. To counter these harm-based ideologies, and practices, veganism, as an ethical movement, is seeking to give voice to all those who support animals, and the rights of animals, while also seeking to give a voice to animals themselves. Additionally, veganism seeks to challenge the old-guard power structures and cruel practices perpetuated by colonial and neo-colonial systems associated with the dominant Ego power structure. Vegan ethics represent a shift from the dominant Ego model of human relations represented by a pyramid of power towards an Eco model of human relationships in which all Beings have equal worth and agency"-- Provided by publisher Dedication 6 Table of Contents 8 Acknowledgements 10 Foreword • Lisa Micheelsen 12 Introduction—Towards a Vegan Ethic 16 1. Understanding Colonialism, Neo-colonialism and Post-Colonialism and Their Relationship to the Eco and Ego Models 18 2. A Brief Definition of the Ego and Eco Models 22 3. Shamanic Clowns, Fools and Children: Shifting the Paradigm 24 4. Buddhist Lovingkindness as a Path to Veganism 28 5. The Ego and Eco Models Further Explained 30 6. Why Veganism? How Veganism Can Topple Neo-Colonialism in Theory and Practice 34 7. Animals as Food: Farming and Food Production 38 8. Factory Farming and the Prison Industrial Complex (PIC) 44 9. Why Must Animals be the Guinea Pigs in the Name of “Science”? 50 10. It’s Official—Animals Are Sentient! 56 11. The Nazis’ Human Holocaust and the Extreme Extermination of Animal Beings at the Hands of ‘Science’ 60 12. Animal Entertainment—Fun or Torture? 66 13. Pullman Porters 68 14. Circuses and Marine Parks 72 15. Final Thoughts 76 References 80