Description
Universal Basic Income
Book Summary
This essay offers a rigorous and accessible defense of universal basic income as a right of citizenship. José Antonio Pérez Fernández traces the historical evolution of this idea, from Thomas More to contemporary economists, and analyzes real-world cases such as Alaska's. The book argues that, in the face of the crisis of traditional employment, a guaranteed and unconditional income is essential to combat poverty and ensure individual freedom. A key work for understanding current debates on inequality and the precariat.
What is it about?
The work starts from a fundamental premise: employment, understood as a social artifact, has ceased to be a reliable mechanism for escaping poverty. Faced with this reality, the author proposes a universal basic income as a civil right, similar to suffrage, which must be universal and unconditional. Throughout its pages, the historical proposals of thinkers such as Juan Luis Vives, Thomas Paine, or Bertrand Russell are explored, and practical experiences, such as the Alaska Permanent Fund, are examined. The book distinguishes between work (human potential) and employment (a broken social construct), and argues that a guaranteed income is the first step toward a true Statute of Personal Autonomy for all citizens.
Main Topics
- Universal basic income as a right of citizenship
- Employment crisis and the rise of the precariat
- History of social thought on poverty
- Distinction between work and employment
- Practical models of guaranteed income (Alaska case)
Who is it recommended for?
This book is aimed at readers interested in social policy, critical economics, and political philosophy. It is especially useful for students, activists, social work professionals, and anyone who wants to understand the current debates on inequality, poverty, and alternatives to the traditional welfare system. Its clear language makes it accessible to both specialists and the general public with social concerns.
What this book contributes
- A solid and documented argument regarding the viability of universal basic income
- A historical overview of the main proposals against poverty
- Keys to understanding the difference between work and employment in current capitalism
- Practical examples of the application of similar measures in real-world contexts
- A critical view on the limitations of minimum insertion income schemes
Technical Specifications
- Author: Pérez Fernández, José Antonio
- Publisher: Clave Intelectual
- Language: Spanish
- Topic: Literary essays, Society and culture: general, Politics and government, Marxism and communism
- Collection: Social Essay
- Binding: Other
- Publication date: August 2015
- Number of pages: 440
- Weight: 615 g
Editorial Review
This is a reference work for those wishing to delve into the debate on universal basic income from a historical and political perspective. Its main value lies in combining academic rigor with an informative approach, which facilitates the understanding of a complex topic. The defense of a guaranteed income as a universal right, rather than mere assistance, offers a solid theoretical framework that invites a rethinking of the foundations of the welfare state.