Thread by @TheEconomist

A universal basic income, or UBI, is a regular, unconditional cash payment to every citizen instead of benefits provided only to some. This thread explores the arguments for and against #OpenFuture 1/15

As a benefit paid to all, a UBI removes the stigma of “being on benefits” and that can only be good for society, writes @NicolaSturgeon 2/15

A basic income would enhance freedom—people must be able to say no to oppressive and exploitative relationships, argues Guy Standing, an economist 3/15

A UBI would incentivise those out of work to seek employment and promote entrepreneurship—@NicolaSturgeon 4/15

If we accept private inheritance, we should accept social inheritance, regarding a UBI as a “social dividend” on our collective wealth, argues Guy Standing 5/15

However, pressure to constrain costs in welfare policy results in benefits that are too small to relieve poverty and incentivise work, argues @frankfieldteam 6/15

Even a small basic income can have a big impact on nutrition, health, schooling, economic activity and social solidarity—Guy Standing 7/15

To provide for people with certain living standards, a UBI would need graded payments, leading back towards the complexity of present welfare system—@frankfieldteam 8/15

A UBI is essential in the future labour market to protect workers against the automation of services—@NicolaSturgeon 9/15

Arguments for a basic income do not rest on the assumption that robots will cause mass unemployment, says Guy Standing. Rather, the main arguments relate to social justice 10/15

A UBI is not a panacea for worker protection. It would concede the battlefield entirely to employers who exploit their workforce and pay poverty wages—@frankfieldteam 11/15

@NicolaSturgeon ’s government will spend £250,000 on testing a UBI in some areas. Here is her full argument on why she is so interested in the idea 12/15 econ.st/2u92C4J #OpenFuture

A UBI won’t fix society’s problems but will create new ones, argues @frankfieldteam in his full argument: econ.st/2LwOonV #OpenFuture 13/15

“In an era of rentier capitalism [a basic income] would provide an anchor for a fairer distribution system”, writes Guy Standing in his full argument: econ.st/2uJxh8G #OpenFuture 14/15

Take part in our #OpenFuture conversation about a universal basic income. What do you think? 15/15

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