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Basic Income

A Radical Proposal for a Free Society and a Sane Economy
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( 185 ratings, 31 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Basic Income explores the radical yet increasingly relevant proposal of providing an unconditional income to all individuals, regardless of employment status or wealth. Drawing on the ideas of influential thinkers like Thomas Paine and John Stuart Mill, authors Philippe Van Parijs and Yannick Vanderborght offer a thorough defence of basic income as a powerful solution to economic insecurity and social exclusion. The book dissects philosophical, economic, and political arguments surrounding universal basic income, presenting a detailed and accessible case that invites readers to reconsider existing welfare systems and envision a fairer future.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$4499
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

Ideal for students, scholars, and policymakers interested in social policy, economics, and philosophy, as well as readers curious about innovative approaches to welfare and economic justice.

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Providing a basic income to everyone, rich or poor, active or inactive, was advocated by Paine, Mill, and Galbraith but the idea was never taken seriously. Today, with the welfare state creaking, it is one of the world's most widely debated proposals. Philippe Van Parijs and Yannick Vanderborght present a comprehensive defense of this radical idea.--

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Powerful as well as highly engaging—a brilliant book.
—Amartya Sen

A Times Higher Education Book of the Week

It may sound crazy to pay people whether or not they’re working or even looking for work. But the idea of providing an unconditional basic income to everyone, rich or poor, active or inactive, has long been advocated by such major thinkers as Thomas Paine, John Stuart Mill, and John Kenneth Galbraith. Now, with the traditional welfare state creaking under pressure, it has become one of the most widely debated social policy proposals in the world. Basic Income presents the most acute and fullest defence of this radical idea, and makes the case that it is our most realistic hope for addressing economic insecurity and social exclusion.

They have set forth, clearly and comprehensively, what is probably the best case to be made today for this form of economic and social policy.
—Benjamin M. Friedman, New York Review of Books

A rigorous analysis of the many arguments for and against a universal basic income, offering a road map for future researchers.
Wall Street Journal

What Van Parijs and Vanderborght bring to this topic is a deep understanding, an enduring passion and a disarming optimism.
—Steven Pearlstein, Washington Post

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Praised for its comprehensive and persuasive examination, Basic Income is recognised for combining utopian vision with economic and political realism. Reviewers highlight its rigorous analysis and clarity, providing a roadmap for future policy research. Noted commentators describe the work as deeply insightful and optimistic, engaging critically with key philosophical figures and addressing common objections with care and expertise.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780674237469

Publisher: Harvard University Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 22 April 2019

Country: United States

Imprint: Harvard University Press

Illustration: 8 illus., 1 table

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 28.0mm

Width: 156.0mm

Height: 235.0mm

Weight: 454g

Pages: 400

About the Author

Philippe Van Parijs is Professor of Economic and Social Ethics, University of Louvain. Yannick Vanderborght is Professor of Political Science, Université Saint-Louis, Brussels.

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