Join us for a discussion of "Give people money: how a universal basic income would end poverty, revolutionize work, and remake the world" by Annie Lowrey. Please
note- this discussion will be held online via Zoom. If you have
questions or would like to attend the discussion, please email Krista (kloepperk@lislelibrary.org)
Copies of Give People Money... may be picked up in the building or via Curbside Pick-Up. Please check our catalog for availability and to place a hold.
Booklist Reviews 2018 June #1
Give people money, and that will
end poverty. This seemingly naive proposition is actually working, as
case studies prove, in controlled populations where provided funds raise
incomes above poverty levels. Research dispels myths, such as handing
out money makes people lazy (in reality, workers put in more hours once
they find meaningful employment) or that free funds decrease production
levels (many entrepreneurs expand their businesses once they have the
means to do so). Not every attempt has been successful, underlining the
need to manage distribution carefully, thus insuring that funds reach
intended recipients. Universal basic income movements, using funds
provided by both private entities and governments, are gathering
momentum, from initial attempts in Africa and India to current endeavors
in San Francisco, Finland, Canada, the Netherlands, and potentially
Scotland. Lowrey, economic policy reporter for the Atlantic, maintains
that just like on The Jetsons or Star Trek, we now have the technology
to manipulate and redistribute money. Perhaps it’s time to consider a
move toward a cashless, and hopefully more equitable, global society