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Comment by rubicon33 | Hacker News Reader

How does "basic income" work? I have never heard it explained in a way that made any sense. Starting with a premise that resources are finite, you will always have power brokers who oppose the idea of spreading resources thin across the population. To think that would ever happen on a global scale seems as likely as us populating mars. It could happen, but certainly not in my lifetime.

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I admit I haven't given it a whole lot of thought, but, for the US at least, I see it happening slowly over time as a smooth extension of welfare, not as some piece of landmark legislation. As automation increases and jobs become more scarce, more people will need welfare assistance. With strained resources the government will look for solutions such as an automation tax for corporations, perhaps less defense/military spending, etc. Taken to it's logical conclusion, I think you end up with something like a basic universal income.

I see. That makes sense. I was attempting to understand it as some sort of, as you say, "landmark legislation". But picturing it more as an extension / evolution of welfare, definitely makes it seem more plausible. Though, welfare is something that you have to qualify for, and my understanding of basic income was that even the richest of the rich, would be able to collect their basic income.

Power brokers oppose all sorts of redistribution but public movements can demand it.

A minimum wage is already part way to a basic income. The other half, a minumum wage for just being human and alive, would require similar political support.

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