The language of Citizens Basic Income

Chapter 2 understands the meaning of language to be its use. Several ways of forming definitions are discussed – by usage; by listing characteristics; by comparison with a prototype; and by a recognized authority – and detailed discussions of the definitions of ‘universal’, ‘conditionality’, and ‘unconditional’ are offered, particularly in relation to the words’ uses in the Citizen’s Basic Income debate. The chapter explores meanings of ‘Basic Income’, and also of ‘citizen’ in the context of ‘Citizen’s Income’, and it asks whether the definition of Citizen’s Basic Income should include the level at which the income would be paid. The decision went against including the level in the definition, and suggests that the word ‘guarantee’ should also be avoided, and why. The importance of clear definition to rational debate is a lesson to be drawn, and the Ontario Government is criticized for calling something a ‘Basic Income’ when it isn’t one.