It's a test. Here's what the article says about the motivations behind this test: >> Now, the Finnish government is exploring how to change that calculus, init

It's a test. Here's what the article says about the motivations behind this test: >> Now, the Finnish government is exploring how to change that calculus, initiating an experiment in a form of social welfare: universal basic income. Early next year, the government plans to randomly select roughly 2,000 unemployed people — from white-collar coders to blue-collar construction workers. It will give them benefits automatically, absent bureaucratic hassle and minus penalties for amassing extra income. >> The government is eager to see what happens next. Will more people pursue jobs or start businesses? How many will stop working and squander their money on vodka? Will those liberated from the time-sucking entanglements of the unemployment system use their freedom to gain education, setting themselves up for promising new careers? These areas of inquiry extend beyond economic policy, into the realm of human nature. Basically, no one knows how humans/societies will react to such a hand-out, and this is trying to figure out if an eventual universal income will be effective. Also, this quote from later in the article: >> Mr. Saloranta has his eyes on a former Nokia employee who is masterly at developing prototypes. He only needs him part time. He could pay 2,000 euros a month (about $2,090). Yet this potential hire is bringing home more than that via his unemployment benefits. >> “It’s more profitable for him to just wait at home for some ideal job,” Mr. Saloranta complains. >> Basic income would fix this, he says: “It would activate many more unemployed people.”