Contrasting primitive conceptions of Basic Income Guarantee

Author: Marangos John  

Publisher: Inderscience Publishers

ISSN: 1741-8437

Source: International Journal of Environment, Workplace and Employment, Vol.2, Iss.1, 2006-03, pp. : 6-20

Disclaimer: Any content in publications that violate the sovereignty, the constitution or regulations of the PRC is not accepted or approved by CNPIEC.

Previous Menu Next

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to outline and compare the Basic Income Guarantee (BIG) proposals by Thomas Paine and Thomas Spence. In assessing the two proposals using the current version of BIG criterion, each proposal has consistent and inconsistent elements. It can be argued that the two proposals are 'primitive' versions of BIG, as espoused today by the Basic Income Earth Network (BIEN) and the United States Basic Income Guarantee Network (USBIG Network). Nevertheless, beyond what would be perceived today as flaws in both proposals, Paine and Spence equally contributed to the historical development of BIG.