Abstract
The idea of a Basic Income Guarantee (BIG) has been called both a new hope for America and a threat to democracy; a creative new social program and the most stupid idea of all time; inspired legislation and a giant boondoggle; economic security for everyone and a free handout to welfare chiselers; the road to individual freedom and the path to social ruin.
A certain small income, sufficient for necessities, should be secured for all, whether they work or not, and that a larger income… should be given to those who are willing to engage in some work which the community finds useful.
—Bertrand Russell,1
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Notes
Bertrand Russell, Roads to Freedom: Socialism, Anarchism, and Syndicalism (London: Unwin Books, 1966, first published in 1918).
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© 2012 Allan Sheahen
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Sheahen, A. (2012). Introduction: It’s Time to Think BIG. In: Basic Income Guarantee. Exploring the Basic Income Guarantee. Palgrave Macmillan, New York. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137031594_1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137031594_1
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, New York
Print ISBN: 978-1-349-43481-7
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