One alternative would be an economy that spends surplus on large goals: infrastructure mega-projects, big science, interplanetary colonization, technological mo

One alternative would be an economy that spends surplus on large goals: infrastructure mega-projects, big science, interplanetary colonization, technological moon shots, etc. That would "soak up" a lot of employment, especially at the top, and have effects throughout the entire economy. A lot of people find that distasteful because it implies a degree of authoritarianism beyond what basic income would require.