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?
> ‘It’s sometimes said that people will sit around doing nothing if you give them free money.’
I’m not an academic, so take this with a grain of salt.
If my job requires menial labor or involves getting berated by customers (many retail jobs), personally I would absolutely not work.
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.
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.
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.
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.