Sustainability, Economics, and Ethics (SEE)
Basic Income and Guaranteed Employment
On March 18, 2024, Dr. Agustín Reyes Morel from the Universidad de la República presented a seminar on Basic Income and Guaranteed Employment at IQS.
Dr. Reyes Morel explored two critical social policies that are gaining traction globally: Universal Basic Income (UBI) and Guaranteed Employment (GE). He provided an in-depth analysis of their potential to address poverty, inequality, and unemployment, as well as the challenges involved in implementing these policies at a national or global level.
Key Topics Discussed
Universal Basic Income (UBI): Dr. Reyes Morel discussed UBI as a tool to provide every individual with a guaranteed income, regardless of their employment status, and its potential to reduce poverty and support economic stability.
Guaranteed Employment (GE): The concept of guaranteed employment was explored, where the government offers a job to anyone willing and able to work, thus aiming to eradicate unemployment while promoting social welfare.
Feasibility and Challenges: The seminar also addressed the practical challenges of implementing UBI and GE, including funding, political feasibility, and the impact on the labor market.
Global Impact and Case Studies: Dr. Reyes Morel shared insights from existing trials and theoretical models, highlighting examples from various countries that have experimented with or proposed these policies.
Attendees engaged in thoughtful discussions on the long-term economic and social implications of both UBI and GE, with many reflecting on how these ideas could address increasing inequalities and unemployment. The seminar provided valuable perspectives on how modern societies can rethink welfare and labor policies in a rapidly changing world.