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Creative work Quote by Guy Standing

“Whatever variant of freedom is espoused, a basic income would enhance it. However, in the liberal tradition a basic income would be both necessary and sufficient, if judged high enough to meet basic needs. In the republican tradition, however, basic income would be necessary but not sufficient…” quote by Guy Standing
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““Whatever variant of freedom is espoused, a basic income would enhance it. However, in the liberal tradition a basic income would be both necessary and sufficient, if judged high enough to meet basic needs. In the republican tradition, however, basic income would be necessary but not sufficient; other institutions and policies would be needed properly to advance freedom. A basic income would strengthen the following prosaic or day-to-day freedoms: — the freedom to refuse a job that is onerous, boring, low-paying or just nasty; — the freedom to accept a job that is none of the above but which could not be accepted if financial necessity dictated; — the freedom to stay in a job that pays less than previously or that has become more financially insecure; — the freedom to start a small-scale business venture, which is risky but potentially rewarding; — the freedom to do care work for a relative or friend, or voluntary work in and for the community, that might not be feasible if financial necessity required long hours of paid labour; — the freedom to do creative work and activities of all kinds; — the freedom to risk learning new skills or competences; — the freedom from bureaucratic interference, prying and coercion; — the freedom to form relationships and perhaps set up ‘home’ with someone, often precluded today by financial insecurity; — the freedom to leave a relationship that has turned sour or abusive; — the freedom to have a child; — the freedom to be lazy once in a while, a vital freedom to which we will return. Would alternative social policies do as well on any of these counts? At the very least, a social protection policy should be neutral on behavioural freedom, not moralistic, directive, coercive or punitive. The””

Guy Standing

About This Quote

Source Book: Basic Income: A Radical Proposal for a Free Society, Guy Standing, 2017

A basic income expands personal freedom by providing financial security, allowing people to choose work, caregiving, creativity, learning, relationships, and leisure without coercion.

In simple terms: Money security lets people choose how to live.

Key Takeaway

Implement universal basic income to boost freedom.

Themes

freedom security choice economic policy social justice

Mood

hopeful critical analytical

Type

philosophical policy social

When to use this quote

  • job selection
  • entrepreneurship
  • caregiving
  • creative pursuits
  • skill development
  • relationship decisions
  • parenthood
  • leisure
  • political activism

Key Concepts

basic income liberalism republicanism social safety net autonomy

Questions to Reflect On

  • How would basic income change your daily choices?
  • What other policies are needed alongside it?
A Different Perspective

May not address structural inequalities without complementary reforms.

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