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Debate Topic - Universal Basic Income

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19 views3 pages

Debate Topic - Universal Basic Income

Uploaded by

sacsc
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© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Debate Topic: Universal Basic Income

Debate Proposition: Should countries implement a universal basic income to address poverty
and inequality?

Pros (In Favor of Universal Basic Income):

1. Poverty Reduction:
○ A Universal Basic Income (UBI) can provide a safety net for all citizens, ensuring
that everyone has enough money to meet their basic needs, reducing poverty
rates significantly.
2. Economic Stability:
○ By providing a stable income, UBI can help stabilize the economy during
downturns by maintaining consumer spending.
3. Simplified Welfare System:
○ UBI can simplify and streamline the existing welfare system, reducing
administrative costs and bureaucracy associated with multiple targeted
assistance programs.
4. Encourages Entrepreneurship:
○ With a guaranteed income, individuals may feel more secure in taking
entrepreneurial risks or pursuing further education, leading to innovation and
economic growth.
5. Reduces Inequality:
○ UBI can help close the income gap by providing a financial boost to lower-income
individuals, promoting more equitable wealth distribution.
6. Improves Health and Well-being:
○ Financial security from UBI can reduce stress and improve mental and physical
health outcomes, leading to a healthier population overall.
7. Automation and Job Displacement:
○ As automation continues to replace jobs, UBI can provide a solution to job
displacement, ensuring people still have an income as they transition to new
forms of employment.
Cons (Against Universal Basic Income):

1. High Cost:
○ Implementing UBI on a national scale would be extremely expensive, potentially
requiring significant tax increases or reallocation of funds from other important
areas like healthcare or education.
2. Inflation Risk:
○ UBI could lead to inflation, as an increase in consumer spending might drive up
prices, reducing the real value of the income provided.
3. Work Disincentive:
○ Critics argue that UBI might reduce the incentive to work, leading to lower
productivity and a potential decrease in the labor force participation rate.
4. Inefficiency:
○ Providing money to everyone, regardless of need, might be seen as inefficient
compared to targeted assistance programs that focus on those who need help
the most.
5. Funding Challenges:
○ Finding sustainable funding sources for UBI could be challenging, especially in
economies already facing budget deficits and financial constraints.
6. Potential Abuse:
○ There is a risk that some individuals might misuse the funds provided by UBI,
spending it on non-essential or harmful goods rather than improving their quality
of life.
7. Impact on Existing Welfare Programs:
○ Transitioning to UBI might require dismantling existing welfare programs, which
could negatively impact those who currently rely on targeted assistance.
Questions:

1. What is Universal Basic Income, and how does it differ from other welfare programs?
2. What are the arguments for UBI reducing poverty and inequality?
3. Would UBI discourage people from working? Why or why not?
4. How might UBI affect small businesses and entrepreneurship?
5. What impact could UBI have on mental and physical health outcomes?
6. What are the potential social and cultural impacts of providing UBI to all citizens?
7. Is UBI a sustainable long-term solution for addressing poverty and inequality?
8. What are some potential drawbacks or unintended consequences of implementing UBI?

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