How do we imagine the future of our country in twenty or fifty years? How would we like to live? Which options do we have?
One of these options is called: “Unconditional Basic Income”. The idea behind it is very simple:
The state pays each citizen a moderate, sufficient, yet unconditional income and lets the citizen add to it at will with income from other sources.
Over centuries this thought came up over and over again. In the last decades, however, this idea has gradually become the subject of a fast expanding public discussion due to the growing social problems. Some see it as a crucial remedy for many social ills, including unemployment and poverty: They call the Unconditional Basic Income as an inherent right, which a state has to guarantee. Others denounce it as crazy, economically flawed, ethically objectionable proposal, to be forgotten as soon as possible, and to be dumped once and for all into the dustbin of the history of ideas.
But what is this all about?
The argument, that it is impossible to finance, was refuted by some models. At least there is the question, if we may admit that we need not work for our basic needs.
The benefit is obvious: The Fear of the Citizens’ existence from such a state is taken away. Each citizen has the same starting conditions to learn, for self-improvement and to be active in his/her way.
Companies benefit, because people have money to buy the offered products. These generated revenues can be used to pay wages and salaries for employees by firms.
And what's the catch?
Arguments against this idea, which arise from politics, are connected with the question, how people can be governed without fears and sorrows.
Objections from the business side of it, are afraid of the effects on the labor market and (work)behavior, because work, which nobody wants to do, has to be paid better, in order to give higher economic incentives.
Is there a way out?
The more people are interested in this thought and discuss the results, the more people can fancy such a world and wish for this future, the more probable it becomes. However, in order to obtain it, one must know this idea and understand it.
Therefore: awareness training and openness for new ideas!
