With only six candidates remaining, America’s ninth Democratic debate has brought with it a multitude of conflicting characters, lively entertainment and provided a platform for the ushering in of new and bold ideas. An important figure absent from this debate was Andrew Yang.
Of the campaigns and ambitions that were broadcast to the millions watching at home, the unprecedented surge of Andrew Yang exemplified a side of politics that this country so desperately needs and still leaves a pivotal mark within the political discussion. Yang’s Freedom Dividend, which takes largely from UBI, is very much an important tool our economy would benefit from and serves as a solution to some of the many problems that are present within American society.
UBI stands for universal basic income and was first developed by French political activist Marie-Jean-Antoine-Caritat-Nicolas-de-Caritat during the end of the 18th century. UBI’s meaning lies in its name. It is the guaranteed providing of a fixed amount of money to a governed population without the need of credentials like passing a test or having an occupation. It is a system that provides for much flexibility and can differ from policy to policy. The Freedom Dividend of Yang would propose $1,000 a month to any citizens over the age of 18, regardless of socioeconomic or occupational status.
So how does giving money to people directly translate to solving issues in America? 2020 marks the beginning of a new decade, and with this comes the introduction of new technology and automation, putting the jobs that millions of Americans have at risk. As Yang puts it, “We are experiencing the greatest technological shift the world has ever seen.”
By the year 2015, over 4 million jobs in manufacturing had been automated away, and it’s predicted that automation will take the jobs of nearly one-third of Americans in 12 years. Truck drivers, retail workers and cashiers are some of the most popular jobs in the nation, and within the current trend of this vast evolving workforce, they act as perfect prey.
Yang’s UBI-based Freedom Dividend is aimed directly toward the millions of Americans whose main sources of income will be at threat. An influx of $1,000, rather than creating an excuse to stay unemployed like many people think, would creates jobs. It influences people to find work and, if anything, makes the task a lot easier. It bars the taking away of benefits that many welfare programs practice. Also, when workers have more money in their hands upfront. That will give them more bargaining power over corporations, who have already been paying less the last couple decades.
Apart from benefits in mental and physical health, UBI even encourages entrepreneurship. An American population that has more money in its hands has the potential to impact the economy greatly. Many jobs and businesses would begin to sprout, creating a very creative and intuitive atmosphere.
So, yes. Andew Yang is no longer running in the 2020 presidential race. Like the many of us keeping up over the weeks, he must now reside to being a spectator, watching his former stage counterparts take part in the spectacle of the debates. What we should all learn from this is while there is room for improvement within the economic system in this nation, the way that we go about it is all the more important. Many of the proposed solutions of politicians often time are not fulfilled. UBI is a system that has promise, and it's about time that it gets its fair share of attention.
Christopher Lawrence-White is a freshman studying mechanical engineering at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Want to talk more about it? Let Christopher know by emailing him at cl825718@ohio.edu.
