yohamn - HackMD

Universal Basic Income

Once upon a time, people lived self-sufficient lives. When they were hungry, they would gather berries and hunt, and when they were thirsty, they would find a river to fetch water. They lived by following the resources available to them. Although there were differences in resource abundance among different tribes, survival was not impossible. With the advent of the 18th-century Industrial Revolution, capitalism became mainstream, and the wealth gap accumulated from generation to generation. Some people's incomes couldn't keep up with the skyrocketing cost of living, and even getting enough to eat became a problem. It was at this time that some voices emerged, suggesting the implementation of a Universal Basic Income (UBI). UBI is a monetary system in which there are no conditions, qualifications, or eligibility restrictions, and every citizen or member is entitled to receive a certain amount of money regularly. However, some people consider this policy to be utterly absurd, while others believe it is a measure that governments should take to protect human rights. Supporters of UBI have three main arguments. Firstly, many dropouts from education are not because the individuals themselves do not wish to continue their education, but due to economic pressures. Young individuals may need to start working at a young age to help support their families. Similarly, some adults may aspire to acquire additional skills through further education but are burdened by overwhelming economic pressures that force them to work long hours. They come home exhausted and have no opportunity for self-improvement. With UBI, everything changes. Students can receive a complete education, and it offers determined adults the opportunity to pursue further education, ultimately improving graduation rates and employment rates.Secondly, this policy is superior to existing welfare assistance programs. For instance, disadvantaged individuals may lack sufficient information and may not even be aware of the assistance programs' procedures or eve their existence. Furthermore, applying for and proving eligibility for such subsidies can damage self-esteem and expose recipients to stigmatization from society.Lastly, UBI empowers non-working parents and caregivers who silently contribute to society. These individuals make significant contributions to the normal functioning of the world but often do not receive fair compensation. They may find themselves in disadvantaged positions within their households. And this policy can give them confidence, making power relationships within families more equal. Opponents of UBI also have three main points of view. Firstly, they argue that unconditional cash payments may lead people to become lazy and lose their motivation to work. People may think, "Why should I bother working when the government provides assistance even if I do nothing?" This could result in a society burdened by individuals who refuse to work and rely on handouts, potentially undermining the nation's economy. Critics believe that such individuals could gradually erode the economic stability of the entire country. Secondly, opponents argue that the funding for UBI comes from taxation, with every citizen contributing. This means that even the impoverished are contributors, and the policy effectively takes money from the poor and redistributes it to everyone. Critics contend that this does not effectively help the truly impoverished, and it can result in wealthy and financially struggling individuals receiving the same amount of money, which they believe is unfair. Lastly, opponents emphasize the high cost of UBI. Maintaining a basic income for the entire nation is a significant financial burden, and it is evident that such a program would require substantial funding. This funding would likely come from increased taxation, which could place a heavier burden on the population, potentially pushing those who were previously able to make ends meet into financial hardship. Alternatively, cutting expenses in other government programs is suggested as a way to fund UBI, but critics argue that this could negatively impact public services and the well-being of the people who rely on those services. Not only theoretical debates, but now many countries have conducted UBI experiments, such as Canada, the United States, Finland, Germany, and others. I believe that these real-world examples are more persuasive and authentic than purely theoretical discussions. Here are examples from the United States and Finland.