Universal Basic Income
The concepts of justice and equity have accompanied humankind over centuries. The responsibilities of individuals, families, tribes and later elected governance systems carried an obligation that were once inherent in social hierarchies and later became enshrined as a responsibility. History is replete with cases of benevolence, from the hands of the privileged to the less fortunate. From the likes of Johannes Ludovicus Vives, to Thomas More, we have attempts to seek a semblance of a balance of wealth.
Modern day concepts of a universal basic income (UBI), follow a similar path, though the justification for such schemes may vary. The UBI has its fair share of supporters and opponents.
Universal Basic Services
A move away from the dependence on income as the prime exchange mechanism to a process of common services is the proposal of the New Economics Foundation. The approach works on the principle of a common goal predicated on shared needs, collective responsibilities and sustainable development. The key here is the sharing of risks and resources – The collective. Key benefits of UBS are equality, efficiency, solidarity and sustainability.
