Published: October 23, 2019
The Universal Basic Income (UBI) is a proposed government program that would provide an annual cash benefit to all Americans above a certain age. However, any method of implementing a UBI would be prohibitively costly, especially if it were added on top of the existing social safety net. And replacing all other government programs with a UBI would cut benefits for many poor and elderly Americans. Ultimately, the UBI would fail to accomplish its intended outcomes.
Discussion Questions
- Can Universal Basic Income reduce inequality?
- Can basic income hurt the economy and lead to lower productivity?
Additional Resources
- Read “The Case Against a Basic Income Guarantee” by David Henderson, available here.
- Read “Universal Basic Income, In Perspective” by David R. Henderson, available here.