Is Unconditional Basic Income Morally Justified? A Philosophical Analysis

Running head: Philosophy 1
Philosophy
Name
Institution

Running head: Philosophy 2
A basic income is a regular income received after a certain period as result of work
done or service provided during this period. The person who receives this income is entitled
to it since they have worked to earn that money. Unconditional income does not rely on any
condition to be fulfilled like in the case of basic income where one has to work for them to
receive the payment. The recipients do not have to fulfill any requirements to get it, it is
given to all the people as their right. It is also known as universal basic income. The issue of
unconditional basic has its roots back in the 19th century, where the idea that no one at all
should live in demeaning conditions of poverty, a consolation of some kind of basic income
to protect the well-being of the people and take some measures on their social security.
Liberals such as Thomas Paine and Mill fought for unconditional income as way of
promoting freedom given the mass unemployment given the mass unemployment that was
there at that time and the people were suffering as a result of this. During the 19th century
until later in the 1960s the argument about basic salary was minimal, later in 1970s some
countries like the US joined by Canada did numerous tests on negative income taxation
which was considered as a system affecting the well-being of people, this experiment
revealed that with UBI in place most people life condition was improved though minimal.
Later in 1980s the heated argument took another turn in Europe and spread to other countries.
Some countries have enacted broader benefit systems such as Bolsa Familia Brazil (White,
1997).
In considering whether introduction of unconditional basic income is morally justified
or not, will take a look at various aspects such as its effect in modern society, the possibility

Running head: Philosophy 3
of implementing and enforcing it, the challenges likely to come up, its advantages visa a vis
its disadvantages, whether it is practicable or not. Depending on the outcome of these factors
then we can easily conclude whether is it is morally justified or not.
In evaluating the moral issues around unconditional income, it is important to identify
the moral considerations that are in favor of UBI and those that are against then weigh the
outcome of both. The debates surrounding the welfare of the people in terms of poverty
caused by the economic inequality are relevant morally but to what extent, the main objective
of moral justification is focused on freedom. UBI came up with a proposal on free society
which subsequently would promote justice to all members of the society and this is
guaranteed.
Advantages of UBI
It reduces the level of poverty in the society as everyone is entitled to a basic income
unconditionally. It will also work more proficiently in managing and administration of welfare of
the people as concerns about their well-being will be addressed. UBI also will do away with the
stigma of unemployment, it will also reduce economic inequality in the society and promote
justice to all.
Despite the numerous advantages of UBI it remains uncertain whether it is affordable and
the difficulty around implementing it. It would affect the whole system of the country from the
tax system that will have to be adjusted, the private entities and public entities ownership and
who will work. To some extent UBI is morally justified but it comes along with a lot of
challenges that could plunge the country into crisis because the number of workers are likely to
reduce the moment UBI is introduced and this would mean drastic decline in level of production