Universal Basic Income (UBI)

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AI, Automation, and the Urgent Case for Universal Basic Income (Part 1): A Conversation with Scott Santens (www.forwardfuture.ai)

submitted 1 month ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (3 children)

The "power to say no" provides bargaining power—the ability to refuse exploitative or degrading work because basic survival isn't at stake. This changes the fundamental nature of employment.

"Work isn't really fully voluntary if we say, 'If you don't work, you deserve to starve.' It is voluntary if you have enough to survive and exist. Then employers actually pay you money to attract you to do the job," Santens explains.

As a side effect, UBI would obviate the need for a mandated minimum wage.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 month ago (2 children)

That remains to be seen. Companies won't suddenly turn charitable. There is no harm in raising the minimum wage to a more realistic $25-$30 and keeping it. Nobody should work under inhumane slave wages.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Companies won't suddenly turn charitable.

Of course they won't. But they would be forced to increase wages if everyone were in a position to say "The small increase in my income from working a sh*tty job for low pay is not enough compared to my UBI to make it worth it. I'd rather spend my time elsewhere.".

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 month ago

Maybe or maybe not. Does it hurt to better be safe than sorry? If companies do as you predict then a minimum wage won't hurt them as it does not apply to them. If they don't then it is good to still have it.