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The problem is that we live in a world in which the natural resources required for life, such as land, are owned. And for good reason, but it creates a paradox
by nwah1 12y ago
The problem is that we live in a world in which the natural resources required for life, such as land, are owned.
And for good reason, but it creates a paradox, whereby virtually all social improvements result in higher rents.
These rents raise the cost of living. Thus, if you hand out everyone a basic income, landlords will notice that they are able to charge higher rents. Because we all need land, but they aren't making more of it.
To solve this problem, and complete the circle, it would make sense that the basic income is funded out of rent. That is the idea behind the Citizen's Dividend.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizen%27s_dividend http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizen%27s_dividend
- JoeAltmaier 12y agoOh this old tired argument. No, land is not the source of all wealth and justice. Its just dirt. What's on land is far, far more valuable worldwide (improvements, industry).
- nwah1 12y agoI agree that the stuff on top is more important. That is precisely why we shouldn't tax it, and only tax land. The point is that the gatekeepers who restrict access to both nature and improvements are huge factors in why wages are lower than they should be, and why we aren't prospering as much as we ought to be. Tax people for hindering production, not for laboring or producing.