The idea of a Universal Basic Income (UBI) or National Guaranteed Income has been around for decades with a recent rise in popularity post COVID-19. Successful pilots and proposed programs in Spain, Stockton California, and among Silicon Valley tech leaders have identified its potential to alleviate poverty. Some fear UBI will create dependency or encourage people to stay out of the workforce while others see it as a way to stimulate the economy.

The Thread explores both sides of policy arguments using well-researched data, facts, and arguments, highlighting the common thread of agreement.

HISTORY OF UBI:

A Universal Basic Income scheme is a government policy that typically replaces means-tested welfare systems with a single unconditional payment. This idea has a long history; able to trace its origins to various humanist, socialist, and libertarian thinkers over the last several centuries.

Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang promised to spice up September’s primary debate by doing “something no presidential candidate has ever done before in history” live on television.

Much of the Democratic debate on Wednesday featured a fractured flock of candidates fighting over progressive credentials and declaring who they'd put in prison or fine to prove their bona fides. But Andrew Yang, the plucky venture capitalist, made the case that his policies really are for everyone.