Everyone should have universal right to a capital income

Yanis Varoufakis, former finance minister of Greece, looks at the proposal that everybody in society should be given an unconditional income.

Everyone should have universal right to a capital income

THE right to laziness has traditionally been only for the propertied rich, whereas the poor have had to struggle for decent wages and working conditions, unemployment and disability insurance, universal health care, and other accoutrements of a dignified life.

The idea that the poor should be granted an unconditional income sufficient to live on has been anathema not only to the high and mighty, but also to the labour movement, which embraced an ethic revolving around reciprocity, solidarity, and contributing to society.

Already a subscriber? Sign in

You have reached your article limit.

Unlimited access. Half the price.

Annual €120 €60

Best value

Monthly €10€5 / month

More in this section

Revoiced

Newsletter

Sign up to the best reads of the week from irishexaminer.com selected just for you.

Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited