Hacker News new | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submit login

I'm not talking about paying everyone the same, I'm talking about the difference between non-market-work and non-work.

The article states that Basic Income allows for the recognition of the value of non-market-work. I can't see how.

In order to "recognize the value" of non-market-work, such workers must be treated differently to non-workers (unless the value is recognized to be zero). Any difference in the treatment of non-market-workers and non-workers is equally possible without a Basic Income system.

If those who do non-market work (e.g caring for their disabled partner) get paid the same as people who do no work at all, then it is valued identically to non-work. I don't necessarily have a problem with that, but it can hardly be said to be "recognition of the value" of non-market-work.

This means that a parent who takes time away from market-work to raise children; a person who provides full-time care for their disabled spouse; and a person who divides their time between playing CoD and watching Jersey Shore; are all paid the same.




Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: