In Switzerland last June, they had a referendum on a universal basic income that would have given each adult Swiss citizen US$2,500 (86,450 baht) per month. That is why universal basic income is now a hot topic in political circles throughout the developed democratic countries: it might prevent that disaster. But the curious thing is that none of trials now being undertaken is actually universal, with everybody getting the same "basic income" regardless of what other income they may have. If everybody gets the basic income as a right, the argument goes, then receiving it causes neither shame nor anger. But meantime they will be gathering valuable data about the actual behaviour of people who have a guaranteed basic income.

Source: Bangkok Post April 27, 2017 21:33 UTC