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
by Karl Widerquist | Mar 21, 2014 | Research
Hollie Slade, Forbes
This article discusses how the charity, Give Directly, which has an extremely simple model find poor people and give them money, has grown in success. Although GiveDirectly has received increasing attention, this article, like most other articles on GiveDriectly does not make the following connection: GiveDirectly essentially give recipients a one-time basic income. The success of GiveDriectly provides favorable evidence for basic income.
Hollie Slade Staff, “Give Directly’s Breakthrough ‘Free Money’ Model Grows As Evidence Mounts.” Forbes, 2/10/2014.
by Craig Axford | Mar 20, 2014 | Research
Is the minimum wage debate just another distraction?
[Craig Axford]
Dennis Trainor Jr., “Is Minimum Wage Another Distraction? Let’s talk Basic Income, Shall We?”, Popular Resistance, March 6, 2014