Universal basic income (UBI) has supporters across the political spectrum. The idea is that if every citizen received a payment from the state to cover their living costs, it this will allow them the freedom to live as they choose.
But voters who turned down a UBI pilot in a recent referendum in the German city of Hamburg apparently found something to dislike. A frequent argument against UBI is that recipients will decide to work less. This in turn will make labour (and consequently labour-intensive products) more expensive.
Indeed, a recent study on a UBI experiment has found that recipients of an unconditional monthly transfer of US$1,000 (£760) were significantly less likely to work. And if they did work, they put in fewer hours than a control group who received only US$50 per month.
This sounds absurd. Wtf is $750 going to get you that you no longer need to work much?
Might be just enough that one spouse will stay home to take care of the kids. Just enough that you don’t have to work for health insurance. Just enough that you can try starting something new, working on your art, continuing your education.
My mother brings in less money than that before taxes, and my parents believe that this money is essential to their household income.
On an individual level you’re right. $750 does not cover the cost of living. However, when combined with a couple that, not only doubles how much the family is taking in, increases the likelihood that 1 of the 2 either doesn’t work or works less.
That’s why it’s so fucked up that the older generation rails against this given it was the standard practice when they were working age…