by Yannick Vanderborght | Jul 3, 2012 | Research
In this article, in the Turkish Internet journal called Mavi Defter, Yuksel Akkaya argues that basic income is seen as a method to fight against capitalism and poverty. This article is the first in the series of three. Basic income is something that questions the value of capitalism and can be seen in the light of income of citizenship. Akkaya further explores how basic income could be seen as a counter attack of current social welfare system. Coming from that point, he divides the social welfare into three historical waves. The first wave occurred in Germany, at the end of the nineteenth century, when workers’ union emerged as a functional unit by creating an insurance system. The second wave came into existence in the United Kingdom as a Beveridge model, after the end of the World War II. This era saw the creation of welfare system that became financed through taxation. Finally, basic income has a big potential of becoming a third important, historical wave. However, the author writes that basic income is something that is beyond the social welfare system. Many want to shape it as a political entity that works against the rules of capitalism. Basic income reminds Akkaya of Grendrisse of Karl Marx. The reason for such a conclusion, argues the author, is the way basic income functions. Basic income finances population not according to the amount of work one does, but according to the total production of a nation. Is that possible? The author tries to answer this question in his next article.
Akkaya, Y. (2012, June 18). Temel gelir versus capitalism (mi?) I is online at:
https://www.mavidefter.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=54:temel-gelir-versus-kapitalizm-mi-i-&catid=58:yukselakkaya&Itemid=96
by Karl Widerquist | Jun 30, 2012 | Research
Glaeser, Edward (2012) “Cash Is Better Than Food Stamps in Helping Poor”, Bloomberg.com, February 28, 2012
In an opinion piece on Bloomberg.org, prominent Harvard economist Edward Glaeser writes, “Redistribution has costs . . . but it also has benefits, particularly by creating a society with less painful poverty. . . . I won’t try to convince you that the U.S. should do more or less for its poorer citizens. I am interested in a better-designed welfare system.” Glaeser concludes, “By combining our aid programs and primarily giving cash, we can have a more efficient welfare system that provides more freedom and better incentives for aid recipients.”
The article is online at:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-02-28/cash-better-than-food-stamps-in-helping-poor-commentary-by-edward-glaeser.html
by Karl Widerquist | Jun 27, 2012 | Research
Storlund, Vivan (December 2011) “Basic Income: How it fits in the Policy Framework for Green Jobs” in Saviour Rizzo (ed.) Green Jobs From A Small State Perspective. Case Studies From Malta, Belgium: the Green European Foundation, pp. 55-66.
The basic argument in this paper is based on the premise that when green is the qualifying criterion for work rather than profit or economic growth, the world of work and the economic scenario in which it has to operate assume a different dimension. The focus of this new dimension is here placed on work performed in the intersection between employment and entrepreneurship. This is a grassroots level hibernation sphere for innovation and thus also a fertile breeding ground for green jobs. A green job in this context is being associated with meaningful work. What makes work meaningful is its potential to enable the worker to participate meaningfully and creatively in the life of society in less materialistic ways. This does not however mean that the instrumental value of work has to be ignored. In whatever perspective work is perceived it ultimately has to assure one’s survival and well being. Herein lies the principle of basic income. This paper challenges the conventional economic theory of pay and argues that a national and/or macro policy of basic income can be very conducive to the creation and sustenance of green jobs.
The book can be downloaded as a PDF at:
https://gef.eu/publication/green-jobs-from-a-small-state-perspective-case-studies-from-malta/
A review of the book is online at:
https://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120513/books/It-s-up-to-us-to-green-the-economy.419752
by Karl Widerquist | Jun 26, 2012 | Research
This opinion piece argues that a BIG could almost erase poverty in Canada. It presents evidence from the Negative Income Tax experiments and from the history of the guaranteed income movement.
It’s online at:
https://thetyee.ca/News/2012/05/15/Guaranteed-Basic-Income/?utm_source=daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=150512
by Karl Widerquist | Jun 24, 2012 | Research
Hansen, James, “Game Over for the Climate,” The Opinion Pages, the New York Times, May 9, 2012.
This opinion piece endorses the Tax-and-Dividend approach to global warming without using that name for it. The author writes, “We should impose a gradually rising carbon fee, collected from fossil fuel companies, then distribute 100 percent of the collections to all Americans on a per-capita basis every month.” This strategy, obviously, includes a basic income.
The full text is online at: https://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/10/opinion/game-over-for-the-climate.html?hp
by Karl Widerquist | Jun 19, 2012 | Research
Bloomberg.com, February 28, 2012
In an opinion piece on Bloomberg.org, prominent Harvard economist Edward Glaeser writes, “Redistribution has costs . . . but it also has benefits, particularly by creating a society with less painful poverty. . . . I won’t try to convince you that the U.S. should do more or less for its poorer citizens. I am interested in a better-designed welfare system.” Glaeser concludes, “By combining our aid programs and primarily giving cash, we can have a more efficient welfare system that provides more freedom and better incentives for aid recipients.”
The article is online at:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-02-28/cash-better-than-food-stamps-in-helping-poor-commentary-by-edward-glaeser.html
