UBI rough draft 2

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Grand Canyon University *

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-105

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Philosophy

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Apr 3, 2024

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The Benefits of Universal Basic Income (UBI) Zetonya Allbrooks College Name, Grand Canyon University Course Number: PHI-105 Instructor’s Name: Sarah Robertson Assignment Due Date: March 26, 2024. 1

Universal Basic Income Universal Basic Income, also known as UBI, is a program that allows individuals to receive monthly payments. These payments will come from the government and are funded by tax revenues. This program could potentially replace existing welfare programs. This is because Universal Basic Income will supply enough funding for people to live off each month. It will not only benefit those who are unable to work but also those who can go out and work. Universal Basic Income could have a positive effect on the economy because it decreases homelessness, brings in guaranteed income, and increases health. UBI And Reducing Homelessness In 2022, over 580,000 Americans were experiencing homelessness. Think of how that number could have been lower if Universal Basic Income payments were given out. Homelessness is a worldwide worsening problem and there is nothing in place currently to help improve this problem. Back in 2007, Namibia launched a project called BIG better known as the Basic Income Grant. They hoped that this project would help poverty, unemployment, and social problems. (Wietersheim. E. V. 2010). After a two-year trial period, the poverty level decreased dramatically. During Covid people were able to witness many others lose their jobs and in return end up homeless due to not having a substantial income. Even as the economy starts to adjust to the aftermath that this virus caused it is still hard to find work, due to businesses shutting down. If there was a UBI program in place these people would have the income to keep their homes and thus have enough time to look for work without being overwhelmed. Universal Basic Income can help with homelessness, but there would also need to be a housing investment and rent controls put into place. When addressing the positive effect that UBI has on homelessness government must address living expenses and how these Guaranteed payments will work. 2

Universal Basic Income Payments Universal Basic Income will be received via check or direct deposit every month and is a guaranteed income to those who qualify. Even though there are known arguments on how UBI could lead to higher rates of unemployment, it could be a simple fix by just putting guidelines into place or doing away with it completely. Taking into consideration that this program will be funded by tax revenues we can further eliminate other government assistance such as Tanf, Food stamps, and Energy Efficient programs. With a guaranteed income, those programs will no longer be needed because individuals are given enough money to live on and are still able to work and be able to increase said income. Thus, not harming the unemployment rate. UBI will help more than just low-income families, while also paired with improving living conditions it could potentially have a good impact on the economy and overall well-being. Basic income guarantee (BIG) proposals have been around since Thomas Paine (1797) proposed a version of it. It is a very simple idea: the lowest income in the economy doesn’t have to be zero. A small but universal floor under everyone's income can eliminate the worst problems of destitution while incorporating better work incentives than traditional redistributive programs based on categorical needs. Over the years, under various names, and in various forms, BIG has been endorsed by people as diverse as Bertrand Russel, John Kenneth Galbraith, Milton Friedman, Richard Nixon, and Martin Luther King Junior. It gained brief attention under the names “guaranteed income” and “negative income tax” in the 1960s and 1970s as a scientific solution to poverty, and as a way to simultaneously streamline and improve the welfare system (Lewis, M. A. 2005). Studies have shown that UBI can positively affect mental well-being, reduce 3

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poverty, increase income, and boost employment chances. We now need to consider how this could benefit the overall health of people. UBI And Increased Health When one does not have the proper income to supply the needs for themselves and family it usually starts to take a toll on their overall Health. If a person were to become homeless at this very moment, how it would not only affect their mental health but their overall health as well? People rely on income to not only feed their families but also to provide them with healthcare. If UBI was introduced, under certain conditions, it could decrease the homeless deaths due to the pandemic we are suffering, as they are more susceptible to the virus due to poor hygiene, and they usually have nowhere to quarantine if infected. Thus, getting others sick as well. When thinking of being healthier it may require visits to the doctor to make sure that there are not any underlying health issues. These visits not only require some type of insurance but also co- payment. It's already hard enough that some Americans cannot afford health insurance, these payments will help ensure that individuals can afford healthcare insurance as well as cover any co-payment if any. Previous experiments in the USA and Canada from the 1970s provided positive insights into how Universal Basic Income showed increased health, happiness, and overall better community engagement (Castro, & West 2022). After thoroughly reviewing the topic and trials of UBI, it would drastically improve our economic situation and our overall well- being. Conclusion This program can reduce poverty levels and increase productivity. UBI could help anyone and everyone in need no matter the situation if approved and can eliminate the need for 4

government assistance programs. UBI would help improve the economy by decreasing homelessness, bringing in guaranteed income, and improving health. 5

References Camporesi, A. T. (2023). Rethinking Thomas Paine and the Origins of the Basic Income Proposal. History of Political Economy , 55 (1), 77–102. https://doi- org.lopes.idm.oclc.org/10.1215/00182702-10213639 Castro, A., & West, S. (2022). The Case for Basic Income Experiments. Journal of Policy Analysis & Management , 41 (2), 639–644. https://doi-org.lopes.idm.oclc.org/10.1002/pam.22385 Forget, E. L., Peden, A. D., & Strobel, S. B. (2013). Cash transfers, basic income and community building. Social Inclusion , 1 (2), 84+. Lewis, M. A. (2005). The basic income guarantee and social economics. Review of Social Economy , 63 (4), 587–593.) Thomson, R. M., Kopasker, D., Bronka, P., Richiardi, M., Khodygo, V., Baxter, A. J., Igelström, E., Pearce, A., Leyland, A. H., & Katikireddi, S. V. (2024). Short-term impacts of Universal Basic Income on population mental health inequalities in the UK: A microsimulation modeling study. PLoS Medicine , 21 (3), 1–21. https://doi- org.lopes.idm.oclc.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1004358 Wietersheim, E. V. (2010). "I am a beggar no more ..." The Basic Income Grant tackles poverty and restores human dignity. Sister Namibia , 22 (1), 14+. Camporesi, A. T. (2023). Rethinking Thomas Paine and the Origins of the Basic Income Proposal. History of Political Economy , 55 (1), 77–102. https://doi- org.lopes.idm.oclc.org/10.1215/00182702-10213639 Castro, A., & West, S. (2022). The Case for Basic Income Experiments. Journal of Policy Analysis & Management , 41 (2), 639–644. 6

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UBI rough draft 2

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