Basic Income

 



I think we can safely assume that technological advancements will cause many people to lose their jobs and, along with them, their income.


Some of them will likely find new jobs, others might make a living by dancing on TikTok, and some might even sell their farts, but let’s be honest—none of this will create enough jobs for billions of people.


The idea of basic income has been around for a while, but there’s no sign that it will be introduced in time.


Let’s think about this together.

Who should receive basic income?


Each country could implement its own solution. Some nations might need this sooner, while others might need it later. The demographic makeup, economic structure, and environmental factors all influence how much basic income would be justified in different parts of the world.


Another idea is that it should be provided globally to every human on the planet. If it’s not universal, existential disparities will continue to grow, and far more people than today will be forced to migrate in search of a better life. We’re already witnessing large-scale migration, and as climate change worsens, it will multiply. It would be better to prevent this by managing resources and helping people where they are.


Perhaps the right solution is somewhere in between—a differentiated approach based on local needs, but handled as a global issue.


Are world leaders prepared for this?


Hardly. For now, they seem to think it’s better to push humanity toward catastrophe by launching yet another round of wars. At the turn of the millennium, I was convinced that we could never end up in the same situation as in the last century, yet here we are, heading in that direction. Every major power is making territorial claims—Ukraine, Taiwan, Greenland—and that’s not even mentioning the economic colonization happening in the background.


I digress. Let’s set these problems aside for now and focus on an ideal scenario where world leaders actually intend to solve global poverty.


There have been experimental attempts to implement basic income across the world over the past few decades. Just to name a few: Canada, Namibia, Spain, and Finland have all tested it for varying periods.


The results are unsurprising and quite consistent:

  • Participants' health improved
  • Educational outcomes improved
  • Crime rates decreased
  • Consumption increased slightly
  • The labor market did not change significantly

It’s clear that this benefits everyone. Even the wealthy have an interest in reducing crime and avoiding waves of desperate people fleeing from other countries.


This is as far as I’ve gotten in my thinking—not much.


What do you think?

Should everyone just mind their own business?

Is humanity capable of global solidarity?

Should those who don’t work simply not eat?

Does everyone deserve a basic income to ensure human dignity?

Who will work if everyone gets free money?

What would happen if technological advancement led to the complete disappearance of work?

____________

If you can, please support my work with the price of a coffee. This amount covers my daily living expenses. This is what I live on—€5 a day.

Thank you 🙏

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