by Josh Martin | Feb 7, 2014 | Research
[Josh Martin]
Dolan’s article, the third in a series on the universal basic income (UBI), covers the multiple ideological arguments for a UBI. By describing the conservative, progressive, and libertarian perspectives on the UBI, Dolan shows that there is room for compromise between the three camps and that a coalition could emerge if such a compromise is reached.
Ed Dolan, “A Universal Basic Income: Conservative, Progressive, and Libertarian Perspectives,” Economonitor, January 27, 2014.
Edwin G. Dolan is an economist and educator with a Ph.D. from Yale University.
by Josh Martin | Feb 4, 2014 | Research
[Josh Martin]
Watson voices his take on the guaranteed income by citing a recent study from Laval University that evaluated the labor market effects of multiple economic proposals such as a guarantee of 100% of Statistics Canada’s “Market-basket Measure” of low income. Under this guaranteed income, this study suggests that labor market participation would significantly drop (22% for single men, 19% for single women) and that those in poverty would actually have less income than they do under the current welfare system.
William Watson, “Guaranteed income guarantees poverty,” Financial Post, January 24, 2014.
There are lots of other people who work at not very interesting jobs for not very much money. If the government guaranteed them an income, it’s possible they’d continue to grind away without change. But it’s also possible they’d at least think about cutting back on the drudgery of work and “consuming more leisure,” as we economists say. (Fotolia)
by Josh Martin | Jan 29, 2014 | Research
[Josh Martin]
SUMMARY: Bruenig opens by highlighting the conservative backlash to Jesse Myerson’s article for Rolling Stone that listed five economic reforms all millenials should support: a job guarantee, a universal basic income, a land value tax, a sovereign wealth fund and state banks. Conservatives quickly labeled these reforms as impossible, but Bruenig discredits this argument by providing real-world examples of each reform except the job guarantee. He also highlights major conservatives who have backed these policies before, like Milton Friedman (pictured below). Thus, Bruenig claims these reforms are not as farfetched as conservatives believe.
Milton Friedman (Credit: AP/Eddie Adams) via Salon.com
Matthew Bruenig, “Conservatives are losing their minds over economic reforms that already exist,” Salon, January 6, 2014.
by Josh Martin | Jan 19, 2014 | Research
[Josh Martin]
In this article, O’Connor begins with an explanation of the process behind Swiss referendums as well as recent issues that triggered referendums. Particularly popular debates in Switzerland today focus on income inequality, O’Connor writes, partially because of the country’s lack of a minimum wage law while the top one percent own a third of the wealth. Switzerland will vote on a referendum within the next few years on whether or not to implement a CHF2,500 per month universal basic income. O’Connor then lists key arguments for and against the proposal.
(Via EuropeanCEO) Members of Generation Basic Income pose with eight million coins of Swiss five-cent.
Jess O’Connor, “The case for and against unconditional basic income in Switzerland,” EuropenCEO, January 10, 2014.
by Josh Martin | Jan 16, 2014 | Research
[Josh Martin]
Longstreet believes the Democratic Party in the U.S. will use the appeal of a basic income guarantee (BIG) to mobilize its voting base in the 2014 midterm election. Progressives, Longstreet believes, will scream out for damaging levels of income equality propelled by the BIG. Further, he claims that this BIG will give money to the lazy and undeserving. Longstreet ends his article with a rousing cry for Republicans to fight back against the Democrat’s use of the “bully pulpit”.
J.D. Longstreet
J.D. Longstreet, “Something B. I. G. Is Coming To America! Progressive/Commies Push For Solution To Income Inequality,” Canada Free Press, January 7, 2014.
