A rich and diverse commons lowers the cost of living for those who use it. And throughout history, it has been those on low incomes who gain most from the commons. — Guy Standing Copy Share Image
“The ethical and philosophical justifications for basic income – social justice, freedom and economic security – have been well established. They are embedded in the Enlightenment values of all civilized societies and are clearly interrelated, ultimately resting on the sentiment of empathy. This is the emotion that separates the progressive mind from the reactionary one. Empathy derives from a strong… — Guy Standing Copy Share
What we can say with confidence is that the technological revolution is worsening inequality, due mostly to mechanisms that limit free markets. It is… — Guy Standing Copy Share Image
“While there are reasons to be sceptical about the predicted technological dystopia that has prompted many high-tech plutocrats to come out in support of basic income, this may nevertheless be a strong factor in mobilizing public pressure and political action. Whether jobs are going to dry up or not, the march of the robots is undoubtedly accentuating insecurity and inequality.… — Guy Standing Copy Share
“Selective paternalism, for those on low incomes or for other groups needing state assistance, is perhaps even worse than general paternalism, since the minority… — Guy Standing Copy Share Image
A democratically governed national fracking fund should be set up, perhaps similar to what Norway and Alaska have. Areas of drilling should be rented… — Guy Standing Copy Share Image
Many low-income people in the U.S.A. charged with a crime opt to plead guilty to a lesser offence because they cannot afford to go… — Guy Standing Copy Share Image
“Ironically, opponents of basic income on the grounds that it would lead to a dismantling of the welfare state tend to support some variant… — Guy Standing Copy Share Image
Globalisation began what should be called the Great Convergence, creating a globalising labour market in which wages in emerging market economies slowly converge with… — Guy Standing Copy Share Image
“Although reducing poverty, economic insecurity, malnutrition and ill-health should be the primary driving forces, an additional factor is the stress being placed on societies all over the world from distress and other forms of migration. A basic income system in impoverished and low-income communities in developing countries would surely encourage more people to stay in and (re)build their communities.” — Guy Standing Copy Share
“The first basic income pilot in a developing country was implemented in the small Namibian village of Otjivero-Omitara in 2008–9, covering about 1,000 people.40 The study was carried out by the Namibian Basic Income Grant Coalition, with money raised from foundations and individual donations. Everyone in the village, including children but excluding over-sixties already receiving a social pension, was given… — Guy Standing Copy Share
“Leaving aside instrumental reasons for supporting a basic income, the thrill lies in the potential to advance full freedom and social justice, and the values of work and leisure over the dictates of labour and consumption. The times they are a-changin’, sang Bob Dylan. And times do change the chances of success. As Thomas Paine so memorably put it in… — Guy Standing Copy Share
