Universal Basic Income and the Threat of Tyranny
Much praise has been heaped on the idea of a universal basic income in recent years. There has been criticism of the idea, but so far the debate tends to focus on two issues: the economic reasoning behind a universal basic income, and the ethics of allowing a majority of non-workers to live off the fruits of the labour of a small minority. What is not discussed enough, however, are the political implications–what would a universal basic income do to the relations between citizens and government.
So then what is the solution when most labor is performed by automation and the average citizen has little to know access to basic goods needed for living? I'm open to hearing alternatives but as it stands right now basic income is the only alternative I've heard that addresses this inevitable future. 47% of all work will be replaced by automation in the next 20 years.
People have been worried that automation will replace workers for a hundred years and it hasn't happened yet, so there is no guarantee it will. I don't know what the best solution is, but if it doesn't include UBI, it could involve jobs programs (like the US C.C.C. during the great depression) or shorter work weeks. Instead of half the people not working and half the people working, you could have everyone working part time, that seems like a win for everybody.
First, numerous studies have found that automation have already eroded paid work and pay rates since around 1980's and will continue to do so at a much faster rate over the next 20 years. You're off hand dismissal of that fact as luddite'ism doesn't change it.
Second. Why the overwhelming desire to enslave someone to being beholden to someone else for their daily bread? We are moving into an era where are means of productions will far exceed are needs. Most jobs could already be replaced by automation or eliminated because they are BS(such as marketing or economics) that don't really contribute. Basic Income would be a baby step to the ultimate goal of a Resource Based Economy where robots do all the work and humans are free to enjoy life to it's fullest - explore, create, and interact.
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