Description
Book SynopsisThis much-needed book analyses the social, economic and labour market advantages of a Citizen's Income in the UK. It also contains international comparisons and links with broader issues around the meaning of poverty and inequality, making a valuable contribution to the debate around benefits.
Trade Review"provides a wide ranging but general introduction for those who are new to the subject, while offering those with more familiarity a useful compendium of recent literatures and debates." Social Policy & Administration
"Malcolm Torry delivers a blockbuster argument in favour of a Citizen's Income to wholly or partially replace current benefits." customer review, Amazon
"The ideal of a Citizen’s Income is a challenging framework to reflect on. But ... all governments ... should seriously consider it, and Malcolm Torry certainly shows how to make it a reality." LSE Review of Books
"Citizen's Income is a big idea whose time might at last have come. Malcolm Torry's book could play a part in making that happen. Everyone should read it." Professor Hartley Dean, London School of Economics
“Comprehensive and persuasive, this book debunks the current orthodoxies on welfare reform, and sets out a radical alternative to coercion and 'targeting' - a universal, unconditional, non-withdrawable payment for every citizen.” Bill Jordan, Professor of Social Policy, Plymouth University
Table of ContentsA note on terminology; Imagine …; How did we get to where we are now?; Why do some reform proposals succeed, and some fail?; How might we implement a Citizen’s Income?; Has it ever happened?; Criteria for a benefits system: coherence and administrative simplicity; Criteria for a benefits system: the family, then, now, and in the future; Criteria for a benefits system: incentives, efficiency, and dignity; Criteria for a benefits system: the labour market, then, now, and in the future; Would people work?; Would a Citizen’s Income be an answer to poverty, inequality, and injustice?; Who should receive a Citizen’s Income?; Is a Citizen’s Income politically feasible?; Can we afford a Citizen’s Income?; Alternatives to a Citizen’s Income; What can a Citizen’s Income not cope with?; A brief summary; Afterword.
