Reading Assignment (20%): due Thursday, August 4th viatkaposy@niagaracollege.ca
Step 1. Read or reread the article “The Case for Free Money” by James Surowiecki
Step 2. In the space provided below, in complete sentences, use all four of the reading strategies (context, argument, evidence, “so what?”) to interpret his article with thoroughness and clarity.
Writing Strategy One: CONTEXT
The article is in the context of social security. In this, social security has been discussed with the Universal basic income. The previous experiment that has been run by the Canadian state government for the social security of their population has also been cited and its pros and cons have been discussed. The article also addresses the critics of the scheme by explaining the social benefits of the scheme and the improvements that have been observed previously by implementing this scheme. Many socialists have termed the universal basic income as a tool for fighting poverty. The leftists also term it as a better bargaining tool for the employees who end up taking any job for fewer wages. Many state governments are also trying o implement the universal basic income scheme since the nineteen seventies. The critic’s arguments over the implementation of this scheme have been proved wrong many times. It neither lowered the working population it showed any wastage of money. The Universal basic income should differ from region to region as per the expenditure and the poverty standards of the population. It will act as a kind of insurance for poor people and they will feel more financially secure. It will also improve other social aspects including health and education. The universal basic income is a social scheme that is similar to the pension scheme. This might face apprehensions today but can be a successful running scheme if implemented. Universal basic income is also seen as a tool to eradicate poverty._____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________( /5)
Writing Strategy Two: ARGUMENT
The article gives many arguments for and against income and the Universal basic income for the population. The scheme was implemented in the 1970s in a Canadian province. The article discusses many pros and cons of implementing the Universal basic income scheme and the views of many scholars on it. Research has shown that even after implementing the Universal basic income scheme the working population has not declined. But healthcare and education have improved remarkably. People have felt more socially secure and the working class had more bargaining power regarding wages when they went to apply for a job. People had a basic income guarantee and it has been viewed as a tool to eradicate poverty. Many people also view it as similar to insurance and draw a comparison of it with the Pension scheme. Universal basic income is believed to have elevated people out of the poverty line. However, the critics have argued it is a tool for producing a lazy population that need not work for ends to meet. It is said that the scheme will lower the GDP of the countries and will leave a demoralized population. It will also take away the incentive to work from the people. The success of every scheme depends on its implementation of it. The Universal basic income is also the same and its success may vary from region to region. All the schemes look attractive in the beginning but the actual success or failure of it is viewed and researched after its implementation. ____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________( /5)
Writing Strategy Three: EVIDENCE
_The article is about the Universal basic income scheme and its credibility when implemented. The scheme was implemented in the 1970s in a Canadian province. The article discusses many pros and cons of implementing the Universal basic income scheme and the views of many scholars on it. Research has shown that even after implementing the Universal basic income scheme the working population has not declined. But healthcare and education have improved remarkably. People have felt more socially secure and the working class had more bargaining power regarding wages when they went to apply for a job. People had a basic income guarantee and it has been viewed as a tool to eradicate poverty. It is now popular among economists and is viewed as a basic income guarantee similar to an assurance. Countries like Switzerland and Finland have even tried to implement the Universal basic income scheme. Many other state governments are also trying to implement the universal basic income scheme since the nineteen seventies. This list also includes the US. There the people are looking for a basic income guarantee. They fear that the automation sector will take away the jobs of the people. Hence they view the Universal basic income scheme as an assurance and it has been compared with other schemes and plans of similar stature like a pension plan. This scheme was also supported by Martin Luther King and Nixon. Many leftists also support a Universal basic income scheme because it will elevate a section of society out of poverty and hunger. ____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________( /5)
Writing Strategy Four: SO WHAT?
__The article gives highlights the Universal basic income scheme that is also considered the basic income guarantee in the US. This scheme has been implemented in the province of Canada in the nineteen seventies. After many years the research results have shown that education and health care had improved back then. The research is a guide for the critics of this scheme who argues against it. This scheme was also supported by Martin Luther King and Nixon. Many leftists also support a Universal basic income scheme because it will elevate a section of society out of poverty and hunger. People have felt more socially secure and the working class had more bargaining power regarding wages when they went to apply for a job. People had a basic income guarantee and it has been viewed as a tool to eradicate poverty. The income disparity that is widespread among the nations and within its population can be leveled by the Universal basic income scheme. It will give financial security to the people and job security to the working class. The standard of living of the population will improve with education and healthcare. This will also work as an assurance for the poor people who need to take up odd jobs at low wages for survival. Many people also view it as similar to insurance and draw a comparison of it with the Pension scheme. However, the success of every scheme depends on its implementation of it. The Universal basic income is also the same and its success may vary from region to region. ___________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________( /5)