Comparing the United States and the Nordic countries as speculation about “basic income” gradually heats up, I could see it working for the latter but being a d

Comparing the United States and the Nordic countries as speculation about “basic income” gradually heats up, I could see it working for the latter but being a disaster for the former. The Nordic countries have a strong tradition of publicly funding community centres were the jobless can still go out and do wholesome things. Libraries and clubhouses are well-sustained and many small locales have an orchestra or theatre. Plus, with alcohol sales being a state monopoly, people are discouraged from drinking themselves into oblivion (though some subset of people will do their best anyway). Meanwhile, in the United States where the state doesn’t always provision such places, and even churches have been losing their role as an analogue, people might be relatively susceptible to destructive behaviours. Perhaps the heroin and meth epidemics in “flyover country” are a harbinger of this: many of the victims aren’t exactly in danger of starving – existing welfare covers their needs about as well as a basic income would – but what else is there to do with their time?