Page 13 - A Social Dividend: An Income Guaranteed to Each Citizen

The Social Dividend should not be confused The Social Dividend has none of these negative
with social programs such as welfare and employ- features. It is an income distributed to all since it
ment insurance. The funds used in the latter pro- belongs to everyone. It creates a burden for no one
grams were taken from the earnings of other mem- and is not paid out of borrowed money nor from
bers of society through taxation. taxation; neither is it inflationary as it is backed by
Social programs demoralize recipients by fi- goods and services. The Social Dividend is not
nancially penalizing those who would work. A re- charity. It is akin to the distribution of revenues to
cipient who accepts work, even at minimum wage, “shareholders”. Advances in the processes that ac-
can lose his benefits. Receiving benefits can be hu- celerate the volume of production call for advance-
miliating; the recipient is made to believe that he is ments in the amount of money that is available in
living at the expense of others. society.
Freedom and Dignity

44. Why do we need a guaranteed income to less essential but are of great value to the quality
ensure our freedom and dignity? of life and personal development. Still other needs
All people have freedom inscribed in their are perfectly legitimate but may seem superfluous.
hearts, but if a person does not have the basics of In the scheme of life’s basic needs, all people
life, freedom is no more than a are equal. Thus we cannot ap-
word. prove of a social and economic
People will suffer all man- system that allows some of
ner of humiliations if they do its members to do without the
not have access to basic goods. basics while others live in lux-
When people are guaranteed ury. The “vital minimum” re-
their subsistence those with self- quires that each individual has
respect will accept privations available a minimum amount of
and even renounce well-being purchasing power. This aim is
and comforts rather than lose achievable, straightforward and
their freedom. This is why ex- necessary with today’s methods
ploiters, in both politics and in- of mechanized production.
dustry, react negatively as soon 46. Who is responsible for
as the question arises whether the provision to each per-
society should guarantee a Each person has a right to son of a “vital minimum”?
“vital minimum” to each of its freedom, dignity and security. It is the duty of a well-organ-
members. ized society to ensure that each of its members be
44. Why do we need a guaranteed income to guaranteed at least the minimum amount required
ensure our freedom and dignity? for living.
All people have freedom inscribed in their Economic security, i.e., having basic needs
hearts, but if a person does not have the basics of met, is one thing; an individual’s freedom of
life, freedom is no more than a word. choice is another. To be real and effective, free-
People will suffer all manner of humiliations dom requires one to have a minimum of economic
if they do not have access to basic goods. When security.
people are guaranteed their subsistence those 47. Wasn’t the Universal Declaration of Human
with self-respect will accept privations and even Rights [signed in 1948] created to serve that
renounce well-being and comforts rather than lose purpose?
their freedom. This is why exploiters, in both pol- Society proclaims the right to life, but has no
itics and industry, react negatively as soon as the legislation enabling and enforcing this right.
question arises whether society should guarantee
a “vital minimum” to each of its members. Civil societies do not appear concerned with
45. What is meant by “vital minimum”? the well-being of each of their members. Even in
countries where goods are plentiful, the allocation
The “vital minimum” refers to the least amount of money is not adjusted to the level necessary to
of economic security required to meet basic needs. satisfy human needs. Money is strictly used to gain
Some human needs are essential and if they are financial profit.
not satisfied life cannot proceed. Other needs are u

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