--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Unlike most alternatives, a basic income…" description: "\"“Unlike most alternatives, a basic income is a way of reducing poverty without stigmatizing the recipients and making them supplicants. As numerous stu..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/417/guy-standing-4017_poverty_unlike-most-alternatives-a-basic-income_2504007.jpg" --- # Unlike most alternatives, a basic income is a way of… ![“Unlike most alternatives, a basic income is a way of reducing poverty without stigmatizing the recipients and making them supplicants. As numerous studies have shown, the stigma attached to means-tested targeted welfare means that many people in real need do not apply for assistance, from pride…” quote by Guy Standing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/417/guy-standing-4017_poverty_unlike-most-alternatives-a-basic-income_2504007.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/417/guy-standing-4017_poverty_unlike-most-alternatives-a-basic-income_2504007.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/417/guy-standing-4017_poverty_unlike-most-alternatives-a-basic-income_2504007.jpg) > ““Unlike most alternatives, a basic income is a way of reducing poverty without stigmatizing the recipients and making them supplicants. As numerous studies have shown, the stigma attached to means-tested targeted welfare means that many people in real need do not apply for assistance, from pride, fear or ignorance. It is shameful that politicians persist in supporting such schemes when the inherent defects are well known. The contrast with a universalistic scheme was brought out in the Canadian Mincome experiment in Dauphin, Manitoba (see Chapter 11).5 Many people on low incomes, including the unemployed, did not apply for standard ‘welfare’ because of stigma, but gladly took the unconditional minimum income payments that blurred distinctions between low-wage workers, the unemployed and recipients of social assistance. Respondents to questions about the experiment said they welcomed the Mincome payments because they made them feel independent and enabled them to work while avoiding the invasive and degrading procedures associated with means-tested welfare. As one man said, these gave ‘a bad image to the family’. Another”” [Guy Standing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-standing/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Universal basic income reduces poverty without shame by providing unconditional support, unlike means‑tested welfare that deters needy people. **In simple terms:** UBI offers stigma‑free aid. Key Takeaway Support unconditional aid. Themes poverty stigma social policy economics Mood critical analytical Type policy economic When to use this quote - policy design - social programs - public opinion - political advocacy Key Concepts universal basic income welfare reform Questions to Reflect On - What are the main obstacles to UBI? - How can stigma be reduced in welfare? A Different Perspective UBI may be costly and politically contentious. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Basic Income](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/basic-income/) [Poverty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poverty/) [Poverty Stigmatizing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poverty-stigmatizing-1089120/) [Stigmatizing Recipients](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stigmatizing-recipients-1089122/) [Targeted Welfare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/targeted-welfare-1089121/) [Welfare Stigma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/welfare-stigma-1089119/) [Well known](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/well-known/) ## Related quotes > [“The ethical and philosophical justifications for basic income – social justice, freedom and economic security – have been well established. They are embedded in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-standing/the-ethical-and-philosophical-justifications-for-basic-income-social/) [Guy Standing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-standing/) > [“It was nevertheless Thomas More who first depicted what a society with a basic income might look like. In a novel justification that is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-standing/it-was-nevertheless-thomas-more-who-first-depicted-what-a-society/) [Guy Standing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-standing/) > [“Security is a precious asset. It should be a goal of everyone who genuinely wants to build a good society rather than one that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-standing/security-is-a-precious-asset-it-should-be-a-goal-of-everyone-who/) [Guy Standing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-standing/) > [“In an innovative proposal linked to basic income that has attracted interest across the European Union, Philippe van Parijs has suggested that every EU…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-standing/in-an-innovative-proposal-linked-to-basic-income-that-has-attracted/) [Guy Standing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-standing/) > [“What is the ethical or philosophical justification for a basic income? A fundamental claim is that it is an instrument of social justice that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-standing/what-is-the-ethical-or-philosophical-justification-for-a-basic-income/) [Guy Standing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-standing/) > [The claim that if people had a basic income they would become lazy is prejudiced and has been refuted many times in many places.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-standing/the-claim-that-if-people-had-a-basic-income-they-would-become-lazy-is/) [Guy Standing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-standing/) > [“PROFESSOR’S TEASER Here is an interesting teaser from Harvard economics professor Greg Mankiw, in a blog post entitled ‘A quick note on a universal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-standing/professor-s-teaser-here-is-an-interesting-teaser-from-harvard/) [Guy Standing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-standing/) > [“The experience of cash transfer programmes and basic income pilots is that, for the most part, the money is spent on ‘private goods’, such…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-standing/the-experience-of-cash-transfer-programmes-and-basic-income-pilots-is/) [Guy Standing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-standing/) > [“Reformers must be able to pre-empt the expected jibes over lack of ‘reciprocity’, affordability, inducement to laziness, ‘something for nothing’ and cash for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-standing/reformers-must-be-able-to-pre-empt-the-expected-jibes-over-lack-of/) [Guy Standing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-standing/) > [“Leaving aside instrumental reasons for supporting a basic income, the thrill lies in the potential to advance full freedom and social justice, and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-standing/leaving-aside-instrumental-reasons-for-supporting-a-basic-income-the/) [Guy Standing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-standing/) > [“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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-standing/the-first-basic-income-pilot-in-a-developing-country-was-implemented/) [Guy Standing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-standing/) > [“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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-standing/although-reducing-poverty-economic-insecurity-malnutrition-and-ill/) [Guy Standing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-standing/) > [“Ironically, opponents of basic income on the grounds that it would lead to a dismantling of the welfare state tend to support some variant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-standing/ironically-opponents-of-basic-income-on-the-grounds-that-it-would/) [Guy Standing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-standing/) > [“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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-standing/while-there-are-reasons-to-be-sceptical-about-the-predicted/) [Guy Standing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-standing/) > [A primary justification for a basic income is social justice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-standing/a-primary-justification-for-a-basic-income-is-social-justice/) [Guy Standing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-standing/) ## More by Guy Standing > [“The ethical and philosophical justifications for basic income – social justice, freedom and economic security – have been well established. They are embedded in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-standing/the-ethical-and-philosophical-justifications-for-basic-income-social/) [Guy Standing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-standing/) > [What we can say with confidence is that the technological revolution is worsening inequality, due mostly to mechanisms that limit free markets. It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-standing/what-we-can-say-with-confidence-is-that-the-technological-revolution/) [Guy Standing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-standing/) > [“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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-standing/while-there-are-reasons-to-be-sceptical-about-the-predicted/) [Guy Standing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-standing/) > [“Selective paternalism, for those on low incomes or for other groups needing state assistance, is perhaps even worse than general paternalism, since the minority…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-standing/selective-paternalism-for-those-on-low-incomes-or-for-other-groups/) [Guy Standing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-standing/) > [A democratically governed national fracking fund should be set up, perhaps similar to what Norway and Alaska have. Areas of drilling should be rented…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-standing/a-democratically-governed-national-fracking-fund-should-be-set-up/) [Guy Standing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-standing/) > [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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-standing/many-low-income-people-in-the-u-s-a-charged-with-a-crime-opt-to-plead/) [Guy Standing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-standing/) > [People in the precariat rely very heavily on money wages.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-standing/people-in-the-precariat-rely-very-heavily-on-money-wages/) [Guy Standing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-standing/) > [“Ironically, opponents of basic income on the grounds that it would lead to a dismantling of the welfare state tend to support some variant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-standing/ironically-opponents-of-basic-income-on-the-grounds-that-it-would/) [Guy Standing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-standing/) > [Globalisation began what should be called the Great Convergence, creating a globalising labour market in which wages in emerging market economies slowly converge with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-standing/globalisation-began-what-should-be-called-the-great-convergence/) [Guy Standing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-standing/) > [“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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-standing/although-reducing-poverty-economic-insecurity-malnutrition-and-ill/) [Guy Standing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-standing/) > [“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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-standing/the-first-basic-income-pilot-in-a-developing-country-was-implemented/) [Guy Standing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-standing/) > [“Leaving aside instrumental reasons for supporting a basic income, the thrill lies in the potential to advance full freedom and social justice, and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-standing/leaving-aside-instrumental-reasons-for-supporting-a-basic-income-the/) [Guy Standing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-standing/) > [“Reformers must be able to pre-empt the expected jibes over lack of ‘reciprocity’, affordability, inducement to laziness, ‘something for nothing’ and cash for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-standing/reformers-must-be-able-to-pre-empt-the-expected-jibes-over-lack-of/) [Guy Standing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-standing/) > [“The importance of ethical governance, exemplified by the Norwegian Pension Fund, is highlighted by a deplorable UK government proposal in 2016 to set up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-standing/the-importance-of-ethical-governance-exemplified-by-the-norwegian/) [Guy Standing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-standing/) > [If the scale of gas is anything like the claims made by its advocates, it has major implications for the economy and British society.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-standing/if-the-scale-of-gas-is-anything-like-the-claims-made-by-its-advocates/) [Guy Standing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-standing/) [Explore all 117 Guy Standing quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-standing/) ## More Poverty quotes > [The image of blacks usually is one of people who are suffering from hunger, unemployment, and poverty. The idea of them as agents and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-lee-boggs/the-image-of-blacks-usually-is-one-of-people-who-are-suffering-from/) [Grace Lee Boggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-lee-boggs/) > [I know that in the rap game you've got a lot of people, that come from poverty, was born in poverty and if it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-connor/i-know-that-in-the-rap-game-you-ve-got-a-lot-of-people-that-come-from/) [Jon Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-connor/) > [“The power of imagination is strongest in the place of solitude.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunday-adelaja/the-power-of-imagination-is-strongest-in-the-place-of-solitude/) [Sunday Adelaja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunday-adelaja/) > [Give me, indulgent gods with mind serene, And guiltless heart, to range the sylvan scene, No splendid poverty, no smiling care, No well-bred hate,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-young/give-me-indulgent-gods-with-mind-serene-and-guiltless-heart-to-range/) [Edward Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-young/) > [Parents who are stressed or disturbed will have more difficulty in meeting their children's needs. Parents who have little support--from friends, relatives, neighbors, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-kamerman/parents-who-are-stressed-or-disturbed-will-have-more-difficulty-in/) [Sheila Kamerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-kamerman/) > [“Poor people do not go on holiday; they go home.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/poor-people-do-not-go-on-holiday-they-go-home/) [Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/) > [In comparative terms, there's no poverty in America by a long shot. Heritage Foundation political scientist Robert Rector has worked up figures showing that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-j-o-rourke/in-comparative-terms-there-s-no-poverty-in-america-by-a-long-shot/) [P. J. O'Rourke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-j-o-rourke/) > [“In places where government priorities and market imperatives create a world so capricious that to help a neighbor is to risk your ability to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-boo/in-places-where-government-priorities-and-market-imperatives-create-a/) [Katherine Boo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-boo/) > [All our efforts to defeat poverty and pursue sustainable development will be in vain if environmental degradation and natural resource depletion continue unabated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kofi-annan/all-our-efforts-to-defeat-poverty-and-pursue-sustainable-development/) [Kofi Annan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kofi-annan/) > [“I've always been after the trappings of great luxury. But all I've got hold of are the trappings of great poverty. I've got hold…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-cook/i-ve-always-been-after-the-trappings-of-great-luxury-but-all-i-ve-got/) [Peter Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-cook/) > [Who, being loved, is poor?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/who-being-loved-is-poor/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [Hundreds of millions of human beings on our planet increasingly suffer from unemployment, poverty, hunger, and the destruction of their families.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-kung/hundreds-of-millions-of-human-beings-on-our-planet-increasingly/) [Hans Kung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-kung/) > [There are 200 million poor in the world who would gladly take the vow of poverty if they could eat, dress and have a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fulton-j-sheen/there-are-200-million-poor-in-the-world-who-would-gladly-take-the-vow/) [Fulton J. Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fulton-j-sheen/) > [Every one is weary, the poore in seeking, the rich in keeping, the good in learning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/every-one-is-weary-the-poore-in-seeking-the-rich-in-keeping-the-good/) [George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/) > [A beautiful woman, if poor, should use double circumspection; for her beauty will tempt others, her poverty herself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/a-beautiful-woman-if-poor-should-use-double-circumspection-for-her/) [Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/) [Browse all 7,240 Poverty quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poverty/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Unlike most alternatives, a basic income is a way of reducing poverty without stigmatizing the recipients and making them supplicants. 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