Universal Basic Income & Money
Explore how guaranteed income reshapes money, work, and poverty—from Alaska's 40-year experiment to Kenya's villages
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0 / 5 completedWhat is Universal Basic Income?
Universal Basic Income (UBI) is a periodic cash payment unconditionally delivered to all citizens, with no strings attached. Everyone receives it—rich or poor, working or not—fundamentally reshaping how we think about money, work, and social safety nets.
💡 Core Principles
Universal
Everyone gets it, no means testing or eligibility requirements
Unconditional
No work requirements, no restrictions on how money is spent
Individual
Paid to individuals, not households—empowers women, reduces domestic power imbalances
Regular
Periodic payments (monthly), not one-time transfers—provides income security
The Case For UBI
🤖 Automation & Job Displacement
AI and automation could eliminate 40%+ of jobs by 2050. UBI provides safety net as traditional employment shrinks.
🎯 Poverty Reduction
Direct cash more efficient than bureaucratic welfare programs. Kenya pilot reduced extreme poverty 50% vs 10% for traditional aid.
💪 Bargaining Power
With income floor, workers can reject exploitative jobs, forcing employers to improve wages/conditions.
🎨 Creative Freedom
Artists, entrepreneurs, caregivers can pursue valuable unpaid work without financial desperation.
The Case Against UBI
💰 Cost
$1,000/month for 250M US adults = $3 trillion/year—larger than entire federal budget. Funding unclear.
💼 Work Disincentive
If people don't need to work, will they? Could reduce labor supply, shrinking GDP and tax base.
📈 Inflation
Universal cash injection could drive up prices, especially housing, eroding purchasing power.
🎯 Targeted vs Universal
Why give Bezos $1,000/month? Targeted programs help those who need it most with same budget.