Uploaded October 2021 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Some people believe a universal basic income (UBI) is the next step in anti-poverty policy, but a UBI is a dangerous departure from centuries of welfare policy. By imposing no obligations on recipients, the UBI gives recipients less of a reason to work, develop their skills, or improve their situation in life. This failure to understand a key aspect of human nature makes the UBI a destructive policy for the very recipients it is intended to help.
Learn more here: policyed.org/human-prosperity-project/why-universal-basic-income-wont-work/video
To learn more, read “The Economic Impact of a Universal Basic Income,” by John Cogan and Daniel Heil. Available here: hoover.org/sites/default/files/research/docs/prosperityproject_cogan_heil.pdf.
Watch “The Reality of Universal Basic Income” on PolicyEd. Available here: policyed.org/intellections/reality-universal-basic-income/video.
Read “The Case Against a Basic Income Guarantee,” by David Henderson. Available here: econlib.org/archives/2016/04/the_case_agains_12.html.
Read “Universal Basic Income, in Perspective,” by David R. Henderson. Available here:
hoover.org/research/universal-basic-income-perspective.
Read “Universal Basic Income,” by John Cochrane. Available here: johnhcochrane.blogspot.com/2016/06/universal-basic-income.html.
To learn more about socialism and free-market capitalism, click here: hoover.org/publications/socialism-and-free-market-capitalism-prosperity-project.
- Subscribe to PolicyEd’s YouTube channel: bit.ly/PolicyEdSub.
- Follow PolicyEd on Twitter: bit.ly/PolicyEdTwit.
- Follow PolicyEd on Instagram: bit.ly/PolicyEdInsta.
Some people believe a universal basic income (UBI) is the next step in anti-poverty policy, but a UBI is a dangerous departure from centuries of welfare policy. By imposing no obligations on recipients, the UBI gives recipients less of a reason to work, develop their skills, or improve their situation in life. This failure to understand a key aspect of human nature makes the UBI a destructive policy for the very recipients it is intended to help.
Learn more here: policyed.org/human-prosperity-project/why-universal-basic-income-wont-work/video
To learn more, read “The Economic Impact of a Universal Basic Income,” by John Cogan and Daniel Heil. Available here: hoover.org/sites/default/files/research/docs/prosperityproject_cogan_heil.pdf.
Watch “The Reality of Universal Basic Income” on PolicyEd. Available here: policyed.org/intellections/reality-universal-basic-income/video.
Read “The Case Against a Basic Income Guarantee,” by David Henderson. Available here: econlib.org/archives/2016/04/the_case_agains_12.html.
Read “Universal Basic Income, in Perspective,” by David R. Henderson. Available here:
hoover.org/research/universal-basic-income-perspective.
Read “Universal Basic Income,” by John Cochrane. Available here: johnhcochrane.blogspot.com/2016/06/universal-basic-income.html.
To learn more about socialism and free-market capitalism, click here: hoover.org/publications/socialism-and-free-market-capitalism-prosperity-project.
- Subscribe to PolicyEd’s YouTube channel: bit.ly/PolicyEdSub.
- Follow PolicyEd on Twitter: bit.ly/PolicyEdTwit.
- Follow PolicyEd on Instagram: bit.ly/PolicyEdInsta.
