Primer: Guaranteed Basic Income

I’m a fan of podcasts.  I’m a fan of economics, because, well, economics is the underpinnings of the entire professional world.   Even if your a non-profit, you must succumb to the economic rules of supply and demand.Obviously I like really good economics podcasts.

There is a a concept, a fairly old one that is starting to show it’s head again.  it’s the Guaranteed Basic Income.  Rather than go into the details of it’s history I’ll strongly recommend that you listen to and/or download this episode of freakonomics.

I don’t know that the GBI makes sense in a world with long term economic cycles like the US.  All you have to do is compare the US to Greece to get that there is a real risk to fall into the same problems with a system that has too many inflexible entitlements.  That being said, when we consider the biggies in life.. healthcare, housing / food / retirement, etc.. and the desires of companies including on-demand right sized workforce with minimal commitment to providing benefits,  it seems that the GBI can play a part in the whole thing.  So my recommendation, Listen to this and think about where it could possibly fit into the world of the professional.

http://www.wnyc.org/widgets/ondemand_player/freakonomics/#file=json/595560

or go here:

http://freakonomics.com/podcast/mincome/