Why a Citizen's Income Could Be the Key to Happiness

The idea of a Citizen's Income has been floating around the news for a while (and the idea dates back to Thomas Paine), but I suspect in the near future it could become a major talking point.

What is a Citizen's Income?

"A Citizen's Income is an unconditional, automatic and nonwithdrawable payment to each individual as a right of citizenship."

More info: http://citizensincome.org/faqs/

I have almost nothing original to say on this topic, but I'll just quickly list the key benefits and what I think it means for happiness and wellbeing.

Advantages of a Citizen's Income

- By replacing all other benefits, the costs of administration are reduced massively
- It pleases the economic right because it stops the possibility of fraudulent or immoral benefit claims, whilst encouraging enterprise and without increasing taxation
- It pleases the economic left because the poorest in society can afford to live comfortably
- By reducing crime and improving health, government spending in these areas can be cut

How Would it Contribute to Wellbeing?

By giving everyone a guaranteed safety net, financial anxiety and uncertainty would be reduced. Whilst wealth does not equal happiness, poverty and economic insecurity are leading causes of unhappiness. A basic income would bring everybody over the threshold of wealth that is needed for a minimally adequate standard of wellbeing.

Furthermore, it would reduce the need to work. Whilst employment is a key component of wellbeing, stress and unfulfilling work can be detrimental to happiness.

With a Citizen's Income, working hours could be reduced allowing people more free time to pursue other goals in their spare time. Those who enjoy work and aspire to wealth could still do so since work will always be rewarded and not affect the amount of Citizen's Income paid.

Another plus is that workers would be able to demand better working conditions and so will find their time at work more enjoyable and fulfilling.

With people working less hours, there would be an increase in jobs, meaning that they are more evenly spread. Instead of one person working 40 hours a week (being stressed, tired and unhappy) and another person working no hours (thus being poor, anxious and unfulfilled), a Citizen's Income would allow for both to work 20 hours, avoiding the negative effects of work and increasing wellbeing for the both of them.

But finally, and most importantly, all people would be allowed to pursue the jobs that they truly want to do. Particularly as technology increases and takes over low skilled work, it is important that the economy is restructured so that people can still earn a wage. This means that the job market must align with higher skilled and more satisfying careers.

For artists, writers and other creative types, this would be a blessing. They can sit on their secure income whilst pursuing the art that makes not just them happy, but also brings joy to the rest of society.

The same applies to scientists, mathematicians and entrepreneurs.

By providing a basic income at the same cost (or cheaper) than the current benefits system, every individual in society has the chance to become far happier.