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"One reason we think it may work is that technological improvements should generate an abundance of resources." This is already being seen in some contexts. Fo
by 11thEarlOfMar 10y ago
"One reason we think it may work is that technological improvements should generate an abundance of resources."
This is already being seen in some contexts. For example, the portion of income Americans spend on food has dropped from 17.5% to 10.5% over the last 53 years. "Because of the overall rise in income, and the consistent shrinking of food prices adjusted for inflation, we actually have more disposable income than our grandparents did" [1]. It is likely that improvements in agricultural technology and food distribution have led to the 'shrinking food prices' contribution, seen in the US. This means that there is downward pressure on the actual threshold of what would constitute a basic income, and thereby supporting Sam's assertion.
[1] http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2015/03/02/389578089/your-grandparents-spent-more-of-their-money-on-food-than-you-do http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2015/03/02/389578089/you...
- moheeb 10y agoAll the figures I have seen have pointed to large increases in food prices. Where are they getting their figures that food prices have dropped?
- powera 10y agoWhere are you getting figures that food prices have increased as a percentage of total income? I've only seen that they've decreased, and GP post gave a link supporting his position.
- lukeschlather 10y agoIt's macro vs. micro. Over the past 50 years food prices have fallen, but since the great recession they've risen considerably (though still nowhere near what they were 50 years ago.)