Libertarians should endorse a basic-income guarantee not only because it would work better than our current social welfare system, but also because it is a positive value in its own right. Because the initial owners of land seized it, Lockean libertarian principles necessitate some form of compensation, and a government-guaranteed basic income is the alternative best suited to fill that role and can do so without violating individual property rights.
Property Rights, Coercion, and the Welfare State
The Libertarian Case for a Basic Income for All
By Matt Zwolinski
This
article
appeared in
the Spring 2015 issue of The Independent Review.
EconomyEntitlements and WelfareFederal Budget PolicyFederal Tax PolicyGovernment and PoliticsPublic ChoiceSocial SecurityTaxesTaxes and Budget