In A Paper Of Between 400 And 800 Words Provide The Followin

In A Paper Of Between 400 And 800 Words Provide The Following Overview

In a paper of between 400 and 800 words provide the following overview of your final project. State the position you will support. Sketch the relevant background for the issue. Sketch the argument you will make in the paper supporting your position. Mention at least 2 authors/ideas/theories found in this course which you will use in the final composition. Give at least one objection that an opponent to your position may offer. Briefly, how will you respond to your opponent?

Paper For Above instruction

This paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview of a final project centered on a specific issue, clearly articulating the position I intend to support. The outlined approach will incorporate a contextual background, a structured argument supporting the chosen stance, and references to key authors, ideas, or theories studied in this course. Additionally, it will address potential objections from opponents and offer concise rebuttals, demonstrating a well-rounded understanding of the debated topic.

The final project will argue that implementing universal basic income (UBI) is an essential policy to address economic inequality in modern society. UBI's relevance stems from growing disparities of wealth and income, exacerbated by technological automation and labor market shifts. The background of this issue involves historical and contemporary debates about social safety nets, economic justice, and productivity, with some scholars advocating for innovative solutions like UBI to adapt to new economic realities.

A key background point is the rise of automation and artificial intelligence, which threaten traditional employment opportunities across various sectors (Brynjolfsson & McAfee, 2014). This technological evolution poses challenges for income security and necessitates alternative economic models. The background also includes the ethical and political discourse regarding social justice, economic stability, and the role of government in ensuring basic living standards. The debate over UBI has gained traction among policymakers and researchers as a viable solution to rising inequality and economic disruption.

The core argument supporting UBI is that it provides a more efficient and equitable method of social welfare than traditional means-tested programs. UBI guarantees a basic income to every citizen, reducing poverty and enabling economic participation regardless of employment status. This approach simplifies administrative costs while promoting individual freedom and economic security. Furthermore, UBI encourages entrepreneurial ventures and innovation by removing the fear of absolute financial ruin in case of failure (Van Parijs & Vanderborght, 2017).

In supporting this position, I will reference the ideas of philosopher Erik Olin Wright, who advocates for a ‘publicly owned and controlled economy’ that can facilitate equitable wealth distribution, and economist Guy Standing, who emphasizes the importance of a ‘precariat’ class that benefits from security measures like UBI. Wright’s work on economic democracy complements the ethical imperative for social justice, while Standing highlights the changing nature of work and the need for social policy adaptation.

An opponent to UBI might argue that it disincentivizes work and leads to economic dependence, potentially reducing overall productivity. Critics also fear that UBI could result in excessive government expenditure and increased taxes, which might hinder economic growth. To respond, I will emphasize empirical evidence from pilot programs indicating that UBI does not significantly diminish workforce participation, but rather provides stability that can foster innovation and volunteerism (Kela, 2017). Furthermore, I will argue that proper implementation and complementing policies—such as job training and education—can mitigate potential negative effects and create a sustainable economic framework.

In conclusion, my project will articulate a well-supported stance favoring UBI as a necessary policy for contemporary economic challenges. By incorporating relevant background, key theories from course materials, and addressing potential objections, the paper aims to contribute meaningfully to ongoing policy debates and advocate for social policies aligned with economic justice and stability.

References

- Brynjolfsson, E., & McAfee, A. (2014). The Second Machine Age: Work, Progress, and Prosperity in a Time of Brilliant Technologies. W.W. Norton & Company.

- Kela. (2017). Evaluation of a Universal Basic Income Pilot in Finland. Finnish Social Insurance Institution.

- Van Parijs, P., & Vanderborght, Y. (2017). Basic Income: A Radical Proposal for a Free Society and a Sane Economy. Harvard University Press.

- Wright, E. O. (2010). Envisioning Real Utopias. Verso Books.

- Standing, G. (2011). The Precariat: The New Dangerous Class. Bloomsbury Academic.