by Josh Martin | Aug 27, 2014 | Research
[Josh Martin]
In this opinion piece Elliot discusses the complexity of the United Kingdom’s benefits system as well as the confusing state of the economy and labor market. Elliot claims that one possible way to cut through the complexity and confusion is to reform the benefits system into a basic income.
Larry Elliot, “Would a citizen’s income be better than our benefits system?”, The Guardian, 10 August 2014.
Larry Elliott (Source: The Guardian)
by Josh Martin | Aug 26, 2014 | Research
[Josh Martin]
In Rader’s latest post on the basic income, he discuesses the two policies broadly referred to as basic income guarantees: the universal basic income (UBI) and the negative income tax (NIT). Rader admits to preferring a UBI, but in this post calls on UBI supporters to also support an NIT because of its political viability among other reasons. Rader then raises the main arguments and drawbacks of both policies.
Gaura Rader, “Basic Income vs. Negative Income Tax: Why supporters of basic income should be in favor of a negative income tax”, Socratic Diablogs, 6 August 2014.
Gaura Rader (Source: The Socratic Diablogs)
by Josh Martin | Aug 25, 2014 | News
[Josh Martin]
In a post on their website, the BIG Political Party of the United Kingdom calls on its followers to consider standing in the UK General Election in 2015. In the post they write the following:
“If you want to stand as a BIG Party Candidate, you will need.
1. A £500 deposit (returnable if you get at least 5% of the vote)
2. Approximately £600 to print this Election Pamphlet, which will then be mailed out, free of charge, to every household in your constituency, explaining to them why they should vote for you.
3. Ten constituency residents, who are on the electoral roll, to nominate you to stand. These people only need to sign your nomination papers, they do not have to vote for you in the actual election.”
To read the full post, click on the following link:
“Do you want to be an MP? Unconditional Basic Income Guarantee Party is recruiting Parliamentary Candidates for UK General Election 2015”, The BIG Political Party, 6 August 2014.
by Josh Martin | Aug 24, 2014 | Research
Spafford tackles a largely untouched question in basic income studies: How will a basic income change immigration patterns? Spafford believes that a basic income will lead to a significant influx of new immigrants and thus the country will likely have to implement tougher immigration laws. Looking at Europe, those countries with large welfare states often have significant anti-immigrant sentiment. This is an issue for pro-immigration supporters of a basic income, but Spafford proposes one way to remedy the two policies: a Graduated Basic Income (GBI). Under a GBI, an immigrant’s basic income would start out at zero in their first year and slowly increase each year until they eventually reach the level of the maximum basic income. This GBI might deter some of the increased immigration, but still feels unfair to immigrants, so Spafford proposes using the GBI on every citizen starting at 18 years old. Under this policy all citizens at 18 years old will see their basic incomes increase from nothing to the maximum amount in a set number of years.
Jesse Spafford, “Reconciling Basic Income and Immigration”, Metamorphoses and Deformations, 8 December 2013
by Josh Martin | Aug 23, 2014 | Research
[Josh Martin]
Gordon provides a wonderful, in-depth introduction to the universal basic income from a conservative perspective. He provides real world examples of basic incomes, academics that have supported it, and possible funding options. He also discusses current conservative welfare ideas from Marco Rubio and Paul Ryan that seem to be a step on the way to a radical simplification of welfare.
Noah Gordon, “The Conservative Case for a Guaranteed Basic Income”, The Atlantic, 6 August 2014
Swiss backers of a minimum income spread out coins in Bern. (Denis Balibouse/Reuters)
