The Case for Universal Basic Income

Description

Advocated (and attacked) by commentators across the political spectrum, paying every citizen a basic income regardless of their circumstances sounds utopian. However, as our economies are transformed and welfare states feel the strain, it has become a hotly debated issue. In this compelling book, Louise Haagh, one of the world’s leading experts on basic income, argues that Universal Basic Income is essential to freedom, human development and democracy in the twenty-first century. She shows that, far from being a silver bullet that will transform or replace capitalism, or a sticking plaster that will extend it, it is a crucial element in a much broader task of constructing a democratic society that will promote social equality and humanist justice. She uses her unrivalled knowledge of the existing research to unearth key issues in design and implementation in a range of different contexts across the globe, highlighting the potential and pitfalls at a time of crisis in governing and public austerity. This book will be essential reading for anyone who wants to get beyond the hype and properly understand one of the most important issues facing politics, economics and social policy today. CONTENTS Cover Front Matter Acknowledgements 1 Basic Income in Time Just a Fad? Basic Income, Human Development and Citizen Equality Modern Civilization and Social Incorporation Unfreedom in Welfare – Crises of Incorporation Pathways to Basic Income Reform Basic Income and Development Goals Income and Poverty Autonomy and Human Development Social Equality and Public Reform Notes 2 Human Development Freedom Social Policy and Market Justice Human Development and Humanist Justice Existential Need and Security Cognitive Development and Stability Dependence and Fellowship The Unitary Self and Control over Time The Competition Economy and the Process of Justice Notes 3 Democratic Development Democratic Equality and Public Effectiveness Basic Income and State Feasibility Economy and Democracy Basic Income and Other Benefits Basic Income or Services Automation and the Future of Work Governance and Public Norms Notes Conclusion The Life of a Gentleman Notes Appendix Index End User License Agreement Tables Chapter 1 Table 1. An Illustrative Citizen’s Basic Income Scheme Table 2. The Effect on Means-Tested Benefits Appendix Table A1. Structure of Cooperative Public Finance: Public Revenue Scores and Levels Table A2. Public Spending on Human Development Table A3. Education Equality Table A4a. Relative Employment and Income Returns to Education, Females Table A4b. Relative Employment and Income Returns to Education, Females Table A5. Structure of Employment and Non-Employment Time Table A6a. Structure of Control of Core Human Activities, Social Relations, and Forms of Ti… Table A6b. Structure of Control of Core Human Activities, Social Relations, and Forms of Ti… Figures Chapter 1 Figure 1. Public Revenue and Public Spending on Human Development, 2000 and Trend Figure 2. Public Revenue and Public Spending on Human Development, mid-2010s and Trend Chapter 2 Figure 3. Human Economy Figure 4. Human Development Freedom Figure 5. Political Economies of Punitive and Humanist Governing Figure 6. Control over Time, in Work and across Work, Early 2010s Chapter 3 Figure 7. World Income Concentration, 2000–2015 Figure 8. Human Development States: Labour Market Returns to Education, mid-1990s Figure 9. Human Development States: Labour Market Returns to Education, mid-2010s Figure 10a. Unemployment Systems, 2007 Figure 10b. Unemployment Systems, 2010 Figure 10c. Unemployment Systems, 2014