Is a guaranteed paycheck from the government, with no strings attached, the answer to the relentless rise of automation?

The concept might sound far-fetched, but a so-called universal basic income (UBI), is currently one of the most hotly debated policy topics being floated as a means to address income inequality and the disruption that technology poses to the workforce. UBI is being tested in Finland and other international markets, but has received decidedly mixed reactions.



Meanwhile, developments in robotics and artificial intelligence have grave implications for the labor force. A report issued this week from consulting firm PwC found that more than a third of U.S. jobs were at risk from automation, upping the ante for policy makers to cushion the blow to workers.

Advocates for UBI argue that a guaranteed paycheck could serve as a way to fight poverty and uncertainty in an evolving U.S. economy, and encourage workers to take more risks in the job market if they had some extra money as a cushion.

Resolved: The United States ought to provide a universal basic income.

1) The case for and against a universal basic income in the United States By Byrd Pinkerton and Sarah Kliff May 12, 2017, 9:50am EDT

https://www.vox.com/2017/5/12/13954182/case-for-and-against-universal-basic-income-united-states



2) The United States Ought to Provide a Universal Basic Income By: Courtney Nilson 2) The United States Ought to Provide a Universal Basic Income By: Courtney Nilson Beehive Forensics Institute July 2017 https://bfi.utah.edu/_documents/2017_camp_evidence/The United States ought to provide a universal basic income.docx



3) Universal Basic Income - Top 3 Pros and Cons

https://www.procon.org/headline.php?headlineID=005363



4) The case for a universal basic income 3) Universal Basic Income - Top 3 Pros and Cons4) The case for a universal basic income

SourceI will argue against this resolution. The United States should NOT provide UBI.That will take us a step backward from founding principles of capitalism and get us on a slippery slope towards socialism.----------Here are relevant sources for those researching the topic of