Is It Time for Universal Basic Income?
In 1516, Sir Thomas More wrote Utopia, a novel about the
political and social systems of an imaginary ideal nation. More
addressed the issue of poverty by having one of the main characters
exclaim, "No penalty on earth will stop people from stealing, if it's
their only way of getting food.... It would be far more to the point to
provide everyone with some means of livelihood." Over 500 years
later, income inequality and economic insecurity are still major
problems, having become deep-rooted consequences of modern
capitalism. This situation has inspired some economists and political
strategists to look to More's Utopia for guidance.