The Case for a Basic Income

by Robert Jameson

The Basic Income is, for many people, a very appealing Pay every citizen a fixed, non-means-tested amount every week, sufficient to pay for essentials.

The potential advantages of such a system are enormous. The basic income could replace a wide range of existing means-tested benefits and result in a massive reduction in bureaucracy, huge cost-savings and greatly improved economic incentives. And it would be a kinder, more civilised way to help people out of poverty.

Unfortunately, debates about the basic income are often quickly closed down by criticisms that rely on false or misleading assertions - and which often arise out of a lack of understanding of some fairly basic economics.

This book aims to expose the flaws in these criticisms and explain, in plain English, the huge potential benefits of a basic income system, how it could easily be afforded and how it might best be introduced.

The opportunity to introduce a basic income is a fantastic opportunity to transform our society for the better. It is an opportunity we should consider most carefully.

Genres: Nonfiction

72 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2016

About the author

Librarian Note: There are more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Laurent · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good primer, but political and philosophical arguments are poorly presented.

[Chris Rice · Rating 5 out of 5]

In his book "The Case for Basic Income", Robert Jameson explains the core benefits of Basic Income in simple but precise ways. He also discusses some of the false beliefs that skeptics use in their arguments. If you want to understand Basic Income, this is the book for you.

[Kyle van Oosterum · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very accessible introduction to the idea of basic income. Straightforward and short.

[Side.Bar]

A universal Basic Income will require a radical shift in policy and a new definition of our relationship to work. There are two scenarios facing mankind in the not so long-term future. The first scenario, a dystopian future whereby AI (Artificial Intelligence) replaces human labor. Mass unemployment becomes a resulting feature. Governments all over the world will have no choice but to implement policies akin to a Universal Basic Income.
The second scenario is a utopian future, a post-scarcity economy. In this scenario, the human species no longer must make a choice between saving the planet and ending inequality. A post-scarcity economy ensures that the cost of production is so low that all luxury goods and services are practically free.