Andrew Yang, 44, is participating on Thursday in the second Democratic presidential primary debate. Mr. Yang is a political neophyte and former tech executive with a devoted internet following known as the “Yang Gang.” As he has traveled across the country, running what he has called the “nerdiest presidential campaign in history,” he has unabashedly embraced his Taiwanese-American background.

He believes that one way to help soften the impact of automation is through a universal basic income, which he has made a central part of his campaign. Mr. Yang has promised to give Americans $12,000 a year. Here’s a deeper look at his proposal.

The context