Mr. Yang thinks the best way to blunt the impact of automation is by giving people a universal basic income : His proposal, known as the Freedom Dividend, would give $1,000 each month to each American over the age of 18, with no strings attached.

By talking openly about the concerns of American workers and painting a dark picture of the anger and potential violence that could result from mass unemployment, Mr. Yang has been able to appeal to some on the right while still espousing progressive values.