State handouts for all? Europe set to pilot universal basic incomes (UK Guardian)

[inanna]

Thursday 2 June 2016 11.47 BST

Switzerland is poised to hold a referendum on introducing the concept, and Finnish and Dutch pilots are set for 2017

To its acolytes, it is the revolutionary policy idea whose arrival is as urgently needed as it is inevitable. In a future in which robots decimate the jobs but not necessarily the wealth of nations, they argue, states should be able to afford to pay all their citizens a basic income unconditional of needs or requirements.

Universal basic income has a rare appeal across the political spectrum. For those on the left, it promises to eliminate poverty and liberate people stuck in dead-end workfare jobs. Small-state libertarians believe it could slash bureaucracy and create a leaner, more self-sufficient welfare system.

In an increasingly digital economy, it would also provide a necessary injection of cash so people can afford to buy the apps and gadgets produced by the new robot workforce.

Crucially, it is also an idea that seems to resonate across the wider public. A recent poll by Dalia Research found that 68% of people across all 28 EU member states said they would definitely or probably vote for a universal basic income initiative. Finland and the Netherlands have pilot projects in the pipeline.

cont'd...

Link: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jun/02/state-handouts-for-all-europe-set-to-pilot-universal-basic-incomes

Over 2000 posts in the comments section of this article. One notable standout:

PhilDotIDotP

I would go all the way. Get rid of child benefit, old age pension and any other state benefits and replace them all with a cradle-to-grave UBI which would be paid to every citizen that has the right of residence.

It would need to be sufficient to provide a basic standard of living such that no individual needs to work. For those that do work (and most would in order to improve their standard of living), the UBI is the amount that can be earned before tax. No exceptions, regional variations (e.g. London weighting) or special cases. Until the age of majority, the UBI of minors would be paid to the parent(s) or legal guardian(s), after which it could pay the living expenses whilst in further education if so desired.

People would be encouraged to take or make micro-jobs based upon their talents and abilities - a few hours working at home, a few elsewhere, some charity work, whatever suits. Creative people (and we in the UK have some of the best in the world) would thrive - this is already happening in self-publishing, photography and film, app creation, etc., but would greatly benefit from the safety net that UBI would provide.

As for the argument that people will be lazy and waste their lives away doing nothing, so be it - the Darwin Effect will kick in. They will always be with us, with or without UBI and they still have to purchase goods and services so the money returns to the economy in the end.

Lastly, it would also enable people to take up more sporting activities and physical exercise, thus improving their health whilst reducing NHS costs.

Having worked with large-scale IT systems in many different types of industry since 1970 and seen the advances that have been made since that time, it is blatantly obvious that technologies such as the internet, VR and 3D printing have the capability to free us from the slavery of day-to-day existence and UBI is one step down the road to freedom because of the posibilities that it allows for individuals to control their own destiny rather than having to bow down to a greedy or unpleasant boss. The risk is that the wrong people get control and the way to counter that threat is to implement real democracy such as is to be found in countries such as Switzerland. It is no coincidence that the countries mentioned in this article all rank in the top ten in the World Happiness Report 2016 (the UK being 23rd) - and they all have a proportional voting system.

Referendum anyone?

[Newkularblue]

1. Way too many 'bootstrap blowhards'

For that to happen in the US. Meritocracy is why we shame the poor/homeless etc.and a huge reason for why income inequality is a non-starter issue (even here on DU)

We are told, cradle to grave, that the more you make means you're 'winning' or 'living the dream'.

Sanders is the only candidate even trying to get people to re-evaluate thier mindset.

[inanna]

2. I agree this idea may take longer to catch hold in the US.

But it's "out there" and slowly gaining traction, from both sides of the political spectrum.

I find that pretty damn exciting.

[Newkularblue]

3. I find it a good reason to become an expat :')

The more I think about the impact this would have globally..... you just might have good reason to bope.

Imagine trying to compete for a workforce if there's more incentive for said workforce to literally leave the country...

Hmmm... wheels turning..

Edited for spelling

[Onlaketime]

4. Some of this stuff may just be to try to swing people in the

UK who are thinking about voting for Brexit. Lots of craziness going on in regards to that debate.

[T_i_B]

5. I notice that Switzerland is mentioned in the article...

...as one of the countries looking at this. Switzerland is not actually part of the EU.

The headline of the article makes it look like an EU-wide thing, which it then turns out is anything but the case. If anything, the way this story has been reported, even though it's mainly concerning a non-EU country is more likely to scare people into the "vote leave" camp.

[Onlaketime]

6. I like the idea of individual countries

having their own uniqueness. My husband and I used to love visiting Europe when it felt more distinctly unique countrywise. Now it all feels a bit generic and too money focused. Maybe I'm old fashioned but that's how I remember it.

[T_i_B]

7. Well if that's how you feel about Switzerland...

...than that proves the the arguments from the people who want us to leave the EU that the EU is a threat to national identity are a load of cobblers as Switzerland is not part of the EU.

[Onlaketime]

8. I'm just weary of the whole EU project at this point.

It seems to be becoming more of a United States type thing, and we already know how our own government is in deadlock and all the money is flowing upward. Austerity is crippling Europe and Germany and Brussels extracting all the money and assets out of countries like Greece and Spain is terrible if you ask me. Not sure about the UK as London has seemed to benefit somewhat. I notice that Iceland and Norway and Switzerland have done well not being a part of the EU economic bloc.

[T_i_B]

9. They would do much better in the EU quite honestly

They still have to pay for EU single market access, and follow EU rules without getting any say in how those rules are made.

The best trade deal you can possibly get is to be part of the EU.

[Onlaketime]

10. From what I've read up on, no one gets any say in how things are implemented in the EU

except for the Brussels big wigs. The Guardian UK had an article on it the other day stating that the UK had introduced legislation over 75 times and 75 times they were denied. Doesn't sound like a very good deal to me. I personally believe that direct governance over ones own affairs is what real democracy is about. Look at how corrupted the US has now become. Corporations have more say than people do. I see the EU heading the same way.

[T_i_B]

11. What you've read is not actually the case

But then again there is a lot of misinformation about the EU, especially in this referendum campaign.

The worst one by miles is the wildly, blatantly untrue claim from "vote leave" that Turkey is joining the EU. That is unlikely to happen in my lifetime due to ongoing disputes in Cyprus.

[Onlaketime]

13. Actually, the information I posted is correct.

It is also a fact that the EU has introduced 3,600 new laws since 2013, many of which have strangled new small businesses while offering clear support for mega-corporations that purchase politicians. Sounds not much different than the current sad state of affairs in Washington if you ask me. TTIP will also strangle the European people further.

The TTIP grants US firms the right to challenge any EU company and government directives in a court of US jurisdiction. It will essentially tear apart the British National Health service.

[T_i_B]

14. Let me say this again

If we leave, we will still have to follow EU single market rules in order to have the same trade terms as Norway and Switzerland, but we will not have any say in how those rules are made. There will also be additional red tape in the form of proof of origin rules to be followed for duty relief. Ever heard of an EUR1 certificate?

So the whole soverignity argument you are reciting from "vote leave" to the letter is a myth. And this also explains why your buddies in the leave campaign won't give straight answers as to what sort of trade deal they want if we do vote to leave, because it will be much worse than the trade deals we already have.

[T_i_B]

16. I know arguments recited direct from "vote leave" when I see them