by Karl Widerquist | Mar 26, 2014 | Research
This essay praises some aspects of basic income, but argues that the proposal has disadvantages from the leftist point of view, including that it doesn’t move toward a leftist vision and that it is “nationalism in disguise.”
Language: Original in Dutch. Translated into English.
Dutch version: Bart de Baan, “Hoe bevrijdend is de ‘eis’ van een onvoorwaardelijk basisinkomen? [A Leftist critique on Basic Income].” Doorbraak.eu, 24, January 2014.
Translated into English as “A Leftist critique on Basic Income,” by Revolution News, February 1, 2014.
-Revolution News
by Craig Axford | Mar 25, 2014 | Research
Will Switzerland adopt radical reforms for class equality?
[Craig Axford]
Obey, “Universal Basic Income – A Swiss case study”, My FDL, December 13, 2013
by Craig Axford | Mar 24, 2014 | Research
Nobel Prize winning economist Joseph Stiglitz
[Craig Axford]
There are a number of ways to successfully deal with the issue of inequality, and they are not mutually exclusive. Among them, a guaranteed livable income, which comes in as recommendation number 8 in this article.
Andrew MacLeod, “Eighteen Ways to Shrink Inequality”, The Tyee, February 4, 2014
by Craig Axford | Mar 23, 2014 | Research
Prince Edward Island
[Craig Axford]
Canadian government changes to Employment Insurance (EI) program make a guaranteed income more attractive to some on Prince Edward Island.
Journal Pioneer staff, “EI manipulation further cements need for basic income guarantee – Redmond”, The Journal Pioneer, February 25, 2014.
by Karl Widerquist | Mar 22, 2014 | Research
SUMMARY: This article focuses on poverty and inequality, discussing how poverty puts people in a condition in which they cannot make meaningful choices. “Instead, we might look to policies like a guaranteed basic income or a negative income tax, in which we give people money and treat them with the dignity their humanity entitles them to. … Not only would it help those who are suffering get by, but rather than treating them like social degenerates, it would trust and empower them to make their own financial decisions. Given how much responsibility the more fortunate among us have for the problems plaguing the poor, it is the least our society can do.” The author, Shamus Khan is an associate professor of sociology at Columbia University. He is the author of Privilege: The Making of an Adolescent Elite at St. Paul’s School.
Shamus Khan, “The marriage of poverty and inequality: Who is responsible when people don’t have enough?” Al Jazeera America. February 20, 2014.
by Craig Axford | Mar 22, 2014 | Research
Image: Bank of Montreal (bmo.com)
[Craig Axford]
A guaranteed annual income targeting the 100,000 citizens of Manitoba that are currently living below the after tax low-income cutoff would cost about $1.2 billion. According to this article, with a willing federal partner the province that was home to the 1970s Minicome experiment could make it happen.
Shaun Loney, “Minimum income can end poverty”, Winnipeg Free Press, March 1, 2014
