Megan McArdle, “How a basic income in the U.S. could increase global poverty.”

by | Apr 19, 2014 | Research

Megan McArdle -Wikipedia

Megan McArdle -Wikipedia

SUMMARY: interviewee, conservative blogger Megan McArdle, argues against the Basic Income Guarantee, saying that it couldn’t replace the existing social welfare system, as some of her fellow conservatives suggest.

Instead, she says it would end up doubling the federal budget.

And at the same time, because the U.S. would have to halt immigration from poorer countries, she fears it would increase global poverty.

Megan McArdle, “How a basic income in the U.S. could increase global poverty.” PBS News Hour.” [a PBS Interview with Megan McArdle], April 18, 2014

Instituting a basic income in the United States, Megan McArdle says, would require closing off immigration to the U.S. from low-skilled countries. Photo by Flickr user BBC World Service, via PBS

Instituting a basic income in the United States, Megan McArdle says, would require closing off immigration to the U.S. from low-skilled countries. Photo by Flickr user BBC World Service, via PBS

Bill Jordan, “Free money is no longer the stuff of utopia.”

by | Apr 18, 2014 | Research

SUMMARY: Bill Jordan makes the case for a global Basic Income, an idea that has finally come of age. He writes, “For 40 years now I have been advocating for an unconditional Basic Income (BI) – a regular state payment to each citizen of the affluent societies, regardless of work status or household role, also called ‘Citizens Income’. During this time, the arguments in its favour have enormously strengthened. What seemed in the 1970s to be long-term threats to employment security, income equality and free civic participation, have become grim realities, especially for the youngest generation.” Bill Jordan is Professor of Social Policy at Plymouth University in the United Kingdom.

Bill Jordan, “Free money is no longer the stuff of utopia.” New Internationalist, March 3, 2014.

"If your income was guaranteed, what work would you do?" -Net Internationalist, Creative Commons Licence

"If your income was guaranteed, what work would you do?" -Net Internationalist, Creative Commons Licence

David R. Wheeler, “What if the government guaranteed you an income?”

by | Apr 16, 2014 | Research

SUMMARY: This article has received more than 10,000 comments in the first three days since it was Posted. The author, David R. Wheeler, argues that the basic income guarantee is a simple solution to unemployment and underemployment, that it is cheaper than our current social safety net, and that it is gaining adherents on both sides of the political spectrum. The story also includes a pictorial history of inequality in America. Wheeler is an Assistant Professor of Journalism at Asbury University and a regular contributor to CNN.com, The Atlantic, and other publications.

David R. Wheeler, “What if the government guaranteed you an income?” CNN.com, updated April 14, 2014.

Wealthy passengers aboard a ship near San Francisco, circa 1910s. -CNN.com

Wealthy passengers aboard a ship near San Francisco, circa 1910s. -CNN.com