Review of Give People Money
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Review
How would you feel about everyone receiving $1,000 every month, with no strings attached? This is the idea that underlies a UBI, a universal basic income for all people, irrespective of their circumstances. While the idea of handing out money “for free” might sound outlandish to some, UBI proponents have hailed it as the potential solution to poverty, welfare system injustices, political polarization and technological unemployment. In this intriguing and provocative book, economic writer Annie Lowrey examines the current revival of the UBI movement and the enormous potential of implementing such a monumental policy.
Lowrey argues that while the evidence in favor of a UBI is, in many ways, overwhelming, that fact in and of itself is not enough to make implementing a UBI successful – particularly in the United States. Embracing a UBI requires more than a change in economic policy; it requires a change in perspective, Lowrey claims. Americans would need a new understanding of what makes people’s lives meaningful – a truly revelatory notion to attach to any proposal for fighting growing income inequality.
Here are eight takeaways from Give People Money:
About the Author
Annie Lowrey is an economics writer, contributing editor for The Atlantic and frequent guest on CNN, MSNBC, and NPR.