Advocates for Universal Basic Income (UBI) usually cite two main reasons for implementing this social program:
1) All citizens will be guaranteed income to cover basic costs of life. Citizens will be happier and more productive.
2) A UBI will be much simpler and cost-effective to administer than the plethora of social programs used to provide support for people who need support.
In this essay, I will provide different reasons to implement a UBI. These reasons are usually not cited by advocates of UBI.
Keeping screw-ups out of the workforce
Let’s face it; some people are terrible employees. Giving these screw-ups a basic payment would be better for the economy than having businesses incur the expenses of recruiting, hiring, and firing.
Allowing part-timers to work
Some people, through a physical or psychological disability, can’t handle the rigors of a 40-hour work week. But they could handle 10 to 20 hours. With a UBI covering their basic needs, the 10 to 20 hours would give them some disposable income. Being on the job, instead of sitting at home, these workers are also getting job experience, confidence, and contacts. The UBI gives them the option to find part-time work.
Some workers will move into the volunteer sector
With a UBI covering basic needs, many workers would prefer to spend their working life in the volunteer sector. They would see greater personal satisfaction being in these roles than in many of today’s paying occupations.
The volunteer sector does not officially contribute to the statistic known as “Gross Domestic Product.” So our system does not value this work. But if more citizens take on volunteer roles, that effort will still contribute to the economy.
Less petty crime
People on the fringes of society resort to crime and other unproductive means to make ends meet. With a UBI, there would be less of a need to go in this direction. Society would need fewer police officers, courts, and prisons.
Family care
A UBI would allow more stay-at-home parents and home elder care. This relieves the government budget of providing these services.
Reason for intervention
The UBI payment should be a no-questions-asked social program. The citizen gets the stipend and decides where to spend it.
Some people will still struggle making ends meet with their UBI. If they ask for more, that will be a signal for society to delve more deeply into the reason for their inability to fend for themselves.
Let’s take addictions as an example. If we find much of the UBI stipend going to an addiction, this will help justify an intervention, where society makes some of the rules on where the money goes. For example, the UBI could pay the landlord directly or require the person to attend some addictions training.
Seasonal / itinerant / gig / freelance workforce
Many work positions are not considered full-time. Yet these positions are still important to the economy and societal functioning. It would be impractical for employers to turn these positions to full-time.
With UBI benefits, these workers would be better able to remain available to their employer. If the employer/employee relationship has been productive, it would be good for the economy to keep it intact. The employer would not have to recruit and train new workers. The worker returns to a familiar and enjoyable workplace. In essence, the UBI helps keep positive work relationships in place. And all this “temporary” work still gets done.
Creative pursuits
With a UBI, citizens would have more freedom to pursue studies and artistic passions. If a citizen wants to become a microbiologist or a Country & Western singer, the UBI makes those paths a little easier. Citizens can try new life paths and learn from the experience.
Higher demand for labor
Because UBI allows various ways for citizens to drop out of the traditional labor market, this creates opportunities for the remaining workers. Higher wages and better working conditions will result. Workers in traditional “dirty jobs” will be better paid, if society still wants to get this work done.
Better managers
When managers can no longer hold employees because of the paycheck, managers will have to get smarter about retaining their workers. Businesses and government institutions will be run better, and that will help the economy.
Conclusion
A UBI will bring our economy and social structure to new heights. We need to look at all the good reasons to justify this social program.
Published on Medium 2024
Winston Churchill & The Turning Point
Spolu 1: Introduction (to a new model for commerce)
