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The University College Utrecht has paired with the city to see if a system of welfare without requirements will produce an efficient society
The Dutch city of Utrecht will start an experiment which hopes to determine whether society works effectively with universal, unconditional income introduced.
The city has paired up with the local university to establish whether the concept of 'basic income' can work in real life, and plans to begin the experiment at the end of the summer holidays.
Basic income is a universal, unconditional form of payment to individuals, which covers their living costs. The concept is to allow people to choose to work more flexible hours in a less regimented society, allowing more time for care, volunteering and study.
University College Utrecht has paired with the city to place people on welfare on a living income, to see if a system of welfare without requirements will be successful.
The Netherlands as a country is no stranger to less traditional work environments - it has the highest proportion of part time workers in the EU, 46.1 per cent. However, Utrecht's experiment with welfare is expected to be the first of its kind in the country.
Alderman for Work and Income Victor Everhardt told DeStad Utrecht: "One group is will have compensation and consideration for an allowance, another group with a basic income without rules and of course a control group which adhere to the current rules."
"Our data shows that less than 1.5 percent abuse the welfare, but, before we get into all kinds of principled debate about whether we should or should not enter, we need to first examine if basic income even really works.
"What happens if someone gets a monthly amount without rules and controls? Will someone sitting passively at home or do people develop themselves and provide a meaningful contribution to our society?"
The city is also planning to talk to other municipalities about setting up similar experiments, including Nijmegen, Wageningen, Tilburg and Groningen, awaiting permission from The Hague in order to do so.
Next month the city will host the start of the Tour de France 2015, the Grand Départ.
Interesting
cant beat a good bit of empirical study. Sounds v complex to measure though.
So why wouldn't all the non-working child carer wives sign up ? Free money ?
Finland maybe doing something similar [url= http://www.basicincome.org/news/2015/03/finland-parliamentary-candidates/ ]soon[/url]
So why wouldn't all the non-working child carer wives sign up ? Free money ?
I would assume that under this sort of scheme they would be as eligible as anyone else. Why wouldn't they be? It's a "universal, unconditional basic income".
Aye, jambayala, i think you're missing the point! 😆
I predict this could lead to an emptying of the Calais migrant camp.
This is really good news. Makes a refreshing change to see government making policy based on empirical evidence rather than what might get the most votes. UK government- try taking some notice!
Rachel
So why wouldn't all the non-working child carer wives sign up ? Free money ?
Why wouldn't lots of people keep the free money and work as well? And then spend the extra cash boosting the local economy?
Oh. Just in time for me to move to the Netherlands.
Wow, where do I sign up?
One of those odd topics that unites the left and right but for different reasons. Brazil is one of the best case studies.
Despite the headline, does bugger all about inequality BTW
I would imagine that it would just cause inflation. Just like most free money for everyone type ideas.
This is a fair point, inflation is the great dildo that shafts the masses and keeps them in check.v8ninety - Member
I would imagine that it would just cause inflation. Just like most free money for everyone type ideas.
I must admit, I'm like everyone else, I think this sounds like a good idea, but wonder how it'll work in reality.
I wonder is a better solution to socialise aspects of life that should be considered a human right, ie free housing, education, heating, food, water, transport etc. Basically, you can live not beholden to anyone a decent enough basic existence, but if you want the bells and whistles that society offers then you work for them and that's where capitalism can exist. I guess that's just a different way or organising a basic income.
I don't mind profit, but profit on things that should be a right(imo) does grate with me.