by Josh Martin | Feb 13, 2015 | News
Salehi-Isfahani details the Iranian subsidy reform of 2010, where they shifted funds usually allocated to energy subsidies totaling around $100 per citizen to a cash transfer program of $45 per person per month. This program implemented a form of a basic income, and this article details the economic impact of the reform on energy prices, inflation, and on poverty levels. In total, the cash subsidies had a significant impact on poverty and inequality.
Djavad Salehi-Isfahani, “Iran’s Subsidy Reform: from Promise to Disappointment”, Economic Research Forum, Policy Perspective No. 13, June 2014.
by Josh Martin | Feb 12, 2015 | News
McMillan writes in response to the headlines going around the UK stating that a basic income would cost 280 billion pounds, instead arguing that it would be far less, simply by replacing and redefining already existing programs like Jobseekers Allowance, tax allowances, and pensions.
Jamie McMillan, “Basic Income Scheme: How to Pay for it”, Planet Rant, 26 January 2015.
by Josh Martin | Feb 9, 2015 | News
Painter’s post discusses the current fear of creative policy-making in government, and shows two ways that this creativity may finally be moving forward. First, Painter highlights far-left Syriza’s victory in the recent Greek Elections, and then he mentions the Green Party’s support for a Citizen’s Income (a basic income) in the UK.
Anthony Painter, “The need for new ideas- even if they seem crazy at first”, RSA Action and Research Centre, 26 January 2015.
by Josh Martin | Feb 8, 2015 | News
Battistoni’s lengthy post highlights issues facing the environment today, especially focusing on consumption. Since consumption increases end up damaging the environment, Battistoni argues for policies that can decrease consumption, like shortened work weeks and the universal basic income, including proposals like the tax-and-dividend approach.
Alyssa Battistoni, “Alive in the Sunshine”, Jacobin, January 2015.
by Josh Martin | Feb 7, 2015 | News
Higgs begins by discussing the recent political phenomenon of catering to the middle by Labour, Conservatives, and the Liberal Democrats in the UK, and argues that this disenfranchisement with their traditional bases has led to the rise in popularity of the fringe parties like the Scottish National Party, UKIP, and the Greens. Higgs then jumps into the Green Party’s manifesto to highlight one policy that could liberate everyone, but causes a knee-jerk, negative reaction: the Citizen’s Income, also known as the basic income. Higgs then goes on to explain some of the major benefits of the Citizen’s Income.
John Higgs, “Why ‘unconditional basic income for all’ fails the ‘splutter test’ but would liberate the world”, UsVsTh3m, 23 January 2015.
