RSA Salon: Universal Basic Income

Join us as we reinvent the Enlightenment Salon for the challenges of the 21^st century!

Experts predict that half of all existing jobs may be automated by 2033 due to improved AI. At a time when workers face an increasingly insecure economic future, and our ageing society needs to find ever more carers, the welfare state is also growing more complex and intrusive.

Addressing these challenges may force us to rethink the very structure of our economic system, and the meaning of 'work'.

One suggested proposal is the simple but radical idea of Universal Basic Income (UBI): the government provision of a regular and unconditional fixed income to every citizen.

With UBI, rather than managing a system of social welfare, benefits evaluation and unemployment insurance, the government simply writes a no-strings-attached cheque to each citizen.

Proponents argue that UBI would shrink bureaucracy, boost entrepreneurship and grant citizens the freedom to pursue more meaningful and fulfilling work. Indeed, the idea has gathered growing cross-partisan support, and been considered in countries including Switzerland, Finland, the Netherlands, Canada and soon here in the UK in Glasgow.

Questions and problems remain however: Is UBI financially viable? Would it create disincentives to work? How will work change if it is decoupled from income? What would our society look like with UBI?

We want to know what you think! Join us for the next RSA Salon, where the discussion will be led by the RSA’s Anthony Painter, author of Creative citizen, creative state: the principled and pragmatic case for a Universal Basic Income.

In order to harness the power of civic discourse, this new format features a short introduction by a leading thinker on a current challenge, and will be followed by lively, moderated group conversation at round tables. This is a participatory event; everyone is welcome and warmly encouraged to contribute. All RSA Salons take place in the RSA’s extraordinary Great Room - a hub of great ideas and civic action since the 18^th century.

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