Basic income [was Re: [ox-en] Re: No-trade society]
- From: Graham Seaman <graham seul.org>
- Date: Thu, 15 Jan 2004 19:23:56 -0500 (EST)
On Thu, 15 Jan 2004, Robin Green wrote:
On Wed, Jan 14, 2004 at 06:31:06PM -0500, Graham Seaman wrote:
without getting rid of capitalism at all (that's assuming a Basic
Income is sustainable under so-called "global capitalism" - I think
we will soon find out, when Brazil introduces it, as a recent law
they've passed mandates them to!)
????? Are you sure? Do you have any references? (Portuguese is ok).
Just one so far.
http://www.widerquist.com/usbig/24NOV-DEC2003.htm
Basic Income would be great, the day I see a government genuinely
implement it (without a revolution or similar massive changes first) I
will eat my words and change my mind about all this...
Well, the government still has to decide what level it will be. My guess is
at best, it might be enough for someone living in a shanty town to stay alive
on. Probably less. And of course it will be phased in gradually.
Thanks. I found some more references from your link (eg.
http://ultimosegundo.ig.com.br/useg/brasil/artigo/0,,1475661,00.html
Apparently the law's sponsor hopes for it to be set at 40 reais per month
(I think it's about 3 reais to the dollar, so around 15 dollars a month).
Not something anyone could live on, but a good gesture, if it happens.
Hope other governments follow it up... Maybe I was too negative about the
possibility of it happening :-)
Graham
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