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A universal basic income isn’t a new idea, and there are mountains of evidence to support its efficacy, including studies showing that individuals receiving basic incomes are able to contribute more to the workforce and economy and require less overall support. So why hasn’t the idea been widely implemented?
Enter acclaimed nonfiction author Jamie Swift and Queen’s University Professor Elaine Power, whose The Case for Basic Income: Freedom, Security, Justice (Between the Lines Books)examines the nitty-gritty of the basic income model, ideological resistance across the political spectrum, and why the time is now to overcome those factions.
It’s a radical proposal but Swift and Power’s clarity and frankness make a great case, especially in the wake of COVID-19. The effects of the pandemic, combined with rising automation and precarious labour, and falling real wages, mean the case for BI has never been more urgent. At its heart, the book is a simple call for equity and fairness, particularly in wealthy countries like Canada.
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