[Josh Martin]
A new petition has been started on MoveOn.org to establish a basic income guarantee for all Americans, similar to what is being proposed in Switzerland. To view and sign this petition, follow this link.
[Josh Martin]
The 2014 BIEN International Congress took place in Montreal at McGill University from June 27 to June 29. Among the hundreds of attendees were academics from a variety of disciplines—economics, social work, development studies, philosophy, and many others—as well as community activists, politicians, and others simply interested in the idea of a basic income for all. The Congress generated press around the world for a few major reasons: some of the attendees started an international youth activist organization for the basic income, numerous papers were presented on the basic income, and, most significantly, the Basic Income Canada Network furthered its push for a $20,000 basic income for all Canadians.
Here are some of the news stories run around the world about the Congress:
Ahn Hyo-sang, “[Special report] Basic income movement gaining momentum worldwide.” The Hankyoreh, July12, 2014.
Benjamin Shingler, “$20,000 per person: Activists push for guaranteed minimum income for Canadians” The Globe and Mail, 29 June 2014.
The Canadian Press, “Guaranteed $20K income for all Canadians endorsed by academics”, CBC News, 30 June 2014.
Beryl Wajsman, “The fierce urgency for a guaranteed national income”, The Metropolitain, 30 June 2014.
Dan Delmar, “The Exchange Podcast with Dan Delmar,” CJAD 800AM Radio, 2 July 2014. [Discussion of BIG begins about 18 minutes into the broadcast.]
Mélanie Loisel, “Le revenu garanti est la voie de l’avenir, croit Blais”, Le Devoir, 30 June 2014.
Deirdre Fulton, “New Campaign Pushes for ‘Basic Income Guarantee’ in Canada“, Common Dreams, 3 July 2014.
Jacob Kearey-Moreland, “Universal Income Worth a Look”, Orilla Packet, 4 July 2014.
[Josh Martin]
The author of this post begins by highlighting the issues with the current benefits system in the UK: it is too confusing, too complex, and too inefficient. Further, the recent emphasis on employment as the best route out of poverty has proven false. Research has shown that even full-time work cannot guarantee one’s financial well-being. The author then shows why the recently created Universal Credit will fail and why the ideal benefits system is a negative income tax that establishes a guaranteed minimum income (much like a basic income). This system will save the government money and will help ease the transition into an even more technological economy.
The Conversative, “Should the Conservative Party adopt a Negative Income Tax?”, The ConVersative, 7 July 2014.
Negative Income Tax Scenarios (Credit: The ConVersative)
In this TED-style talk at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, Josh Martin ’14 of Decorah, Iowa, discusses the current failures of the U.S. welfare state, showing why the system needs significant reform. This leads Martin to suggest the universal basic income as a more than capable alternative. He covers some of the major arguments for the basic income and shares the results of basic income schemes in Namibia, India, and Alaska. Further, he highlights the ideological flexibility of the policy in that politicians from all ideological backgrounds can find reasons to support a basic income.
Lastly, he proposes his own plan for an American basic income. Rolling together the money the U.S. spends on means-tested programs (excluding Medicare and Medicaid), child tax credits, and Social Security, the U.S. could have around $2 trillion to spend on a basic income. This budget could afford a program where all citizens 0-17 receive $2,000 per year, those 18-24 receive $4,000 per year, those 25-64 receive $6,000 per year, and those 65 and up receive $14,000 per year, effectively replacing Social Security. This plan only costs $1.87 trillion and thus would save the U.S. $130 billion by converting to this basic income plan.
Martin will attend the London School of Economics and Political Science this fall for a Masters degree in Social Policy. You can email him at joshedwardmartin@gmail.com.
Josh Martin, “A Basic Answer to Welfare: The Universal Basic Income“, STOTalks, 3 May 2014.
Josh Martin Speaks on the Basic Income at St. Olaf College
[Josh Martin]
Kari Polanyi Levitt, Emerita Professor of Economics at McGill University in Montreal and an active colleague of the Basic Income Earth Network, has received the honor of becoming a Member of the Order of Canada.
Her citation reads as follows: “For her contributions to the establishment of international development studies as an interdisciplinary academic field, and for her research on political economy in the Caribbean.” Kari Polanyi Levitt is the daughter of famous economic historian, Karl Polanyi.
The full list of new recipients can be viewed here.
Emerita Professor of Economics Kari Polanyi Levitt of McGill Universtiy (Photo by Aneel Karim, Copyright University of the West Indies)
