January/February 2022
Universal Basic Income as a solution to our major social and economic woes is a concept whose time has definitely come. To quote a recent article in Time magazine, “Universal basic income may well be the Swiss Army knife of policy proposals.”
Universal Basic Income (UBI) can be defined as “Periodic, universal, unconditional cash payments to individuals to provide an income floor for all citizens.” It is ‘universal’ in that it goes to all members of society. It is ‘basic’ in that it is enough to meet all of an individual’s or a family’s basic needs. And it provides unconditional, recurring ‘income’ payments.
Approached intelligently, an inclusive form of UBI could be politically viable, a much more efficient use of public funds than current social welfare programs, and a much-needed response to the many social imbalances that the Covid-19 pandemic has revealed with unavoidable clarity. Given Maitreya’s priorities of “an adequate supply of the right food, housing and shelter for all”, it could also be a way for humanity to begin addressing those needs widely, even before His open emergence. In doing so, we would also, no doubt, be demonstrating our readiness for Maitreya’s message of sharing.
UBI is currently gaining popular political traction, and being implemented experimentally in some locations throughout the world. …
Since everyone would benefit from a Universal Income, the stigma attached to current social welfare programs would be eliminated, and there would be far less likelihood of the program being dismantled later. UBI would also quite simply add tremendous stability to the economy.
UBI supports entrepreneurship. People inclined to start a business are offered enough of a boost (and decreased risk) to make it viable, along similar lines as successful programs in microcredit. At every level, UBI actually encourages engagement and participation in the economy — by allowing people to relocate to find jobs, to complete education for higher skilled jobs, or by providing the capital and stability to start their own businesses.
It’s likely that, if the United States or one or more of the other G7 countries were to implement a full, national UBI program, other countries would quickly follow suit. While different countries each have their own unique issues surrounding poverty and would therefore require differing approaches to a basic income, there’s little question that establishing UBI would quickly reduce or even eliminate poverty, reduce income inequality, and alleviate the myriad related social ills.
Admittedly, implementing UBI widely would require the endorsement of politicians and stakeholders across the political spectrum and a comprehensive public information campaign to mobilize support. But neither of these are insurmountable. They simply indicate the required path forward. We can all help by becoming better informed on the benefits and practicalities of UBI and urging its implementation as widely and as actively as possible. …
