Basic income would not reduce people’s willingness to work
A link to the actual research paper would be helpful.<p>In this experiment, what amount was given to the treatment group that received basic income? How often? How does that amount compare to the cost of living in their city?<p>> ‘It’s sometimes said that people will sit around doing nothing if you give them free money.’<p>I’m not an academic, so take this with a grain of salt.<p>If my job requires menial labor or involves getting berated by customers (many retail jobs), personally I would absolutely not work.<p>My spouse worked for the state government as part of a benefits/disbursement program. She took phone calls from benefits recipients. Some who are disabled, on unemployment, or generally within the states bar to qualify for tax payer aid.<p>The pay was slightly above minimum wage. My spouse quit after about a year, during which my souse constantly suffered from verbal abuse and even callers who didn’t qualify threatening to murder my spouse unless they received cash from the state.<p>My point is - there are plenty of jobs where you absolutely will quit and not work if the basic income can provide a sufficient substitute.<p>I’m not making an argument against basic income. I suppose it’s sad that we as a society treat a significant number of people, even in developed countries, without a shred of dignity.