The Basic Income

Lead in

1. Do you agree that the world is the common property of us all?

2. How many street beggars or homeless people do you encounter each day here in Auckland?

3. What would happen if we just started giving these people $2000 a month to cover their basic needs?

4. What if we just gave everyone $2000 a month?

Think of the three objections to the basic income

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Study the cartoon - what's the message?

Ladies and Gentlemen,

today I'd like to share a big idea with you.

In fact, I believe it could be

one of the biggest ideas of the 21st century.

It's an idea that could unite politicians

from the left to the right

in fixing our broken social security system.

It's an idea that could give dignity to millions

and accomplish what we should have accomplished long ago

especially in our rich and wealthy countries:

eradicating poverty.

 

 

The basic income is a right,

a right as a citizen of your country.

Moreover, it's also unconditional,

so you get it no matter what.

No one's going to tell you what you have to do with it;

no one's going to tell you what you have to do for it.

The basic income is not a favor,

but it's a right, just like, for example,

the freedom of speech is a right as well.

But most importantly,

in the past few decades, in the past 30 or 40 years,

it has become more than just an idea.

"Free money for everyone"

is more than just an idea nowadays,

it has become a proven idea.

 

The argument for UBI (Universal Basic Income)


Basic vocab (Quizlet)



Watch:

The Basic Income

1. Which thinkers have advocated for the idea of a basic income?

2. What is the difference between a basic income and social security?

3. Why were the homeless men in London costing so much?

4.What was so surprising about what the men did with the money?

5. What are governments obsessed with today? Why?

6. What are the three objections to the Basic Income?

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7. Why do some people work harder when they have a basic income?

8. Why did Nixon’s idea get rejected?


Further vocab quiz
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Interesting fact:

Annual NZ Social Welfare budget: $36 billion 

Cost of "full UBI" for NZers above 18: $39 billion 

Resources for debate