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Cost, Compensation, Freedom, and the Basic Income – Guaranteed Jobs Debate

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  • Lewis Michael

    (The Silberman School of Social Work, Hunter College, New York, NY, USA)

Abstract

In this volume Harvey argues that guaranteeing people the right to work would be a better policy approach than guaranteeing people an unconditional basic income. This is because a guaranteed job would provide many of the benefits that a basic income would but at far lower cost. I argue that Harvey’s analysis of the relative cost differences between guaranteeing one a job or an income is misleading if not flat out wrong in some places. I also argue that there is one benefit that BI could promote that his jobs strategy, at least as presented in the paper in this volume, could not – the right of an able-bodied person to lead the kind of life they desire even if they desire not to sell their labor.

Suggested Citation

  • Lewis Michael, 2012. "Cost, Compensation, Freedom, and the Basic Income – Guaranteed Jobs Debate," Basic Income Studies, De Gruyter, vol. 7(2), pages 41-51, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:bpj:bistud:v:7:y:2012:i:2:p:41-51:n:3
    DOI: 10.1515/bis-2013-0008
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Harvey Philip L., 2006. "The Relative Cost of a Universal Basic Income and a Negative Income Tax," Basic Income Studies, De Gruyter, vol. 1(2), pages 1-24, December.
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