by Karl Widerquist | Apr 6, 2013 | Research
[USBIG – April 2013]
Stephen Fortunato, “The Fraud of Jobs,” Buddhist Peace Fellowship. February 25, 2013
This article exposes what the author sees as the widely held misconception that the creation of jobs is the motivating objective behind most U.S. economic policy. It argues that we need to shift from the focus on job creation to the focus on meeting people’s needs through a basic income guarantee. The article concludes, “the prevailing ludicrous insistence that people obtain jobs that do not exist — or which are being phased out into oblivion — is a cruel fabrication that will result in nothing but the continued dystopian consequences of poverty, marginalization, and oppression.”
The Author, Stephen Fortunato was a trial judge on the Rhode Island Superior Court for thirteen years after serving as a civil rights lawyer for more than two decades. He has been a Zen practitioner for at least forty years.
The article is online at:
https://www.buddhistpeacefellowship.org/job-creationism/
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 Peter Knight | Sep 18, 2024 | News
A recent study published in Basic Income Studies, “Exploring young people’s attitudes towards basic income”, has found that a large proportion of young people in the Basque Country are supportive of Basic Income (UBI) as a policy that could address pressing social and economic challenges. The research surveyed over 1,200 individuals aged between 18 and 35, revealing that 68% of respondents are in favour of UBI, with many seeing it as a potential solution to growing job insecurity and economic instability.
To read the full press release on the study, click here.
by Peter Knight | Jun 21, 2024 | News
“Natalie Foster believes in creating economic resilience for families. She says income inequality is a real problem; some people work three jobs just to stay afloat.
Foster, who serves as the president and co-founder of the Economic Security Project, was a guest on Wednesday’s edition of “Closer Look.” She talked with host Rose Scott about how guaranteed-income initiatives are transforming the lives of families across the country.
Foster also discussed her new book, “The Guarantee: Inside the Fight for America’s Next Economy.” The book explores what it would be like if all Americans were guaranteed housing, health care, a college education, dignified work, family care, an inheritance and a stable income.”
To listen to the report by LaShaw Hudson of WABE, click here.
by Peter Knight | May 18, 2024 | News
Photo by Possessed Photography on Unsplash
“The computer scientist regarded as the “godfather of artificial intelligence” says the government will have to establish a universal basic income to deal with the impact of AI on inequality.
Professor Geoffrey Hinton told BBC Newsnight that a benefits reform giving fixed amounts of cash to every citizen would be needed because he was ‘very worried about AI taking lots of mundane jobs’.”
To read the article by Faisal Islam, click here.
