Basic Income: What’s possible?
January 31st, 2008I came across this new journal on basic income and thought it would be worth passing. there are many good and thought provoking articles available. What I have found interesting is this political slant given to some of them. Quite frankly who cares?
It actually falls neatly into and out of most of the political spectrum. Where it diverges is on the issue of control. Politics is all about who is in control whether Blue, Red, Yellow or Green or any shade in between. Basic income is about giving everyone access to the financial commons and allowing them the just get on with it. It isn’t a social policy its an expression of freedom and a right.
It will be interesting to see how this debate develops but I’m glad to see it taking on a more formal conversation.
Tags: basic income, democracy, freedom, money, policy ideas, politics, poverty
January 31st, 2008 at 5:56 am
Hi Raf,
I’ve been interested in the concept of a universal basic income for awhile now since reading the “Grip of Death” and learning of Major Douglas’ Social Credit platform.
I actually think its a good idea, because if a Universal Basic Income could be provided it would allow employers to substantially reduce their wage bill, which composes much of the price of the products and services you and I purchase.
February 5th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
Yes Universal Basic income is a good idea and is supported by the Greens, Social Democrats and LandTaxandMonetaryReformsParty in NZ.
UBI is essentially a Left-leaning policy because although it is a ‘right’, it is one which will benefit mostly the lower income people in our society whereas the ‘rights’ purported to be protected by so-called right-wing conservative parties are usually only those rights which directly benefit those with money and power.
Don’t forget that Left vs Right in politics is still all about who is in control and can get more for themselves.
February 6th, 2008 at 3:41 am
Actually it’s not a policy purely of the Left. In fact I’m hoping one day we can mov on from distinctions such s Left/Right and onto a more whole systems framework for expressing our political demands.
Charles Murray, a member of the Right, published a book called In Our Hands which laid out a proposal for a BI. It’s worth reading regardless of your political
affiliations. It proposes a BI to replace the welfare state. Throw in compulsory health insurance and a few other tweaks and its much the same as other proposals.
The Greens have done a poor job in promoting BI and in fact money reform in general. Clearly they don’t think there are votes in it.
BI is an enabler of freedom and responsibility. People can make choices fro themselves yet have an level of income that provides at a basic level.
I believe this is a policy that can unite left and right and hopefully remove the divide completely.