Universal basic income is usually presented as an anti-poverty program. Scott Santens argues that it is also a foundation for freedom—the ability to refuse an abusive job, leave a dangerous situation, care for family, or pursue meaningful work without risking homelessness.
Dave Pederson talks with Scott about what UBI actually is, why it should be universal and unconditional, and whether people would really stop working. They examine basic income as a “permanent strike fund” that could raise workers’ bargaining power, strengthen unions, support unpaid caregivers, and ensure that the benefits of artificial intelligence are shared by everyone whose knowledge helped build it.
They also discuss:
• Why UBI is different from traditional welfare • What existing basic-income experiments tell us about employment • How UBI could increase wages and improve undesirable jobs • Ways to fund basic income through tax credits, land-value taxes, wealth funds, and other dividends • Whether UBI would cause inflation • The relationship between financial independence and domestic violence • How basic income could encourage creativity, entrepreneurship, and innovation
Scott Santens has researched and advocated for unconditional universal basic income since 2013. He is the founder and CEO of the Income To Support All Foundation, host of The Basic Income Show, founder of the AI Pledge for Humanity, and author of Let There Be Money.
SCOTT SANTENS
Substack: https://scottsantens.substack.com
Basic Income FAQ: https://scottsantens.com/basic-income-faq
Income To Support All Newsletter: https://itsanewsletter.beehiiv.com
Let There Be Money: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09NH31Y4C
THE BIGFOOT MANIFESTO
Website: https://www.bigfootmanifesto.com
Apple Podcasts: https://bigfootmanifesto.com/apple
Spotify: https://bigfootmanifesto.com/spotify
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBigfootManifesto
Progressive politics. Cryptid truths. And the monsters hiding in American power.
#UniversalBasicIncome #UBI #ScottSantens #WorkersRights #TheBigfootManifesto