Discovering a celebrity or public figure you admire is an advocate for Universal Basic Income (UBI) can be quite a revelation.
This economic proposal, which involves providing a set income to all citizens regardless of their employment status, has gained traction in recent years.
But who are the famous faces championing this cause?
It may come as a surprise that many influential people, from tech moguls to entertainers, are proponents of UBI.
They see it as a solution to issues such as wealth inequality and job displacement due to automation.
Their support has brought the concept into the mainstream discourse, fostering discussions on its feasibility and impact.
In this article, we’ll shed light on seven famous advocates who support UBI.
Their reasons for backing this idea are as diverse as their backgrounds, and their endorsements add weight to the movement.
What is it about UBI that resonates with these notable personalities? Let’s dive into their perspectives and understand why they believe UBI could be a game-changer in our society.
1. Pope Francis
The leader of the Catholic Church has spoken about the importance of ensuring that everyone has access to the basic necessities of life, including through policies like UBI.
He has criticized economic systems that perpetuate inequality and called for greater solidarity and compassion towards those in need.
In his encyclical “Laudato Si’,” he highlighted the interconnectedness of social, economic, and environmental issues, emphasizing the moral imperative to care for both people and the planet.
Pope Francis has also spoken about the importance of ensuring that everyone has access to the basic necessities of life, including food, shelter, healthcare, and education.
These themes resonate with the goals of UBI, which seeks to provide a guaranteed income to all individuals, regardless of their employment status or income level.
It’s unfathomable that so many supposed Christians in the US don’t support UBI. Knowing that the Pope endorses UBI makes them look even worse.
2. Andrew Yang
Andrew Yang, a former U.S. presidential candidate, is perhaps one of the most vocal proponents of UBI.
He made it a central piece of his campaign during the 2020 Democratic primary.
Yang’s version of UBI, which he referred to as the “Freedom Dividend,” proposed providing $1,000 per month to every American adult.
Yang argued that UBI is a necessary response to job displacement caused by automation.
He believes that the Freedom Dividend could help stimulate local economies and give people more financial freedom.
His proposal brought UBI into the mainstream political conversation in the United States, sparking considerable debate about its feasibility and potential impact on society.
While Yang’s presidential bid was unsuccessful, his advocacy for UBI has continued.
He founded the non-profit organization Humanity Forward to promote the idea and provide microgrants to individuals.
Yang’s support for UBI highlights its potential as a policy tool to respond to economic changes and protect citizens’ livelihoods.
3. Elon Musk
Elon Musk, the visionary behind SpaceX and Tesla, is a notable supporter of Universal Basic Income.
The tech entrepreneur believes that UBI is inevitable in the future, primarily due to the rise of automation and artificial intelligence (AI).
According to Musk, these technological advancements will lead to significant job displacement, leaving many people without a source of income.
In his view, UBI could serve as a safety net for those affected by these changes.
During an interview at the World Government Summit in Dubai in 2017, Musk stated:
“There will be fewer and fewer jobs that a robot cannot do better. I want to be clear. These are not things I wish will happen; these are things I think probably will happen.”
Musk’s prediction isn’t unfounded. Many experts agree that automation and AI are likely to revolutionize several industries, resulting in job losses.
In this context, UBI could provide economic stability to citizens while society navigates these transformative changes.
While Musk doesn’t go into specifics about how UBI should be implemented, his endorsement brings attention to the proposal and its potential benefits in an increasingly automated world.
4. Mark Zuckerberg
Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg is another tech giant who has thrown his weight behind UBI.
During a 2017 commencement speech at Harvard University, Zuckerberg spoke favorably about the concept.
He argued that UBI would give people the freedom to pursue their passions and create new things without worrying about basic necessities.
Zuckerberg believes that a basic income could encourage innovation by reducing the financial risks associated with entrepreneurial ventures.
In other words, if people’s basic needs are met, they would be more willing to take risks and innovate, potentially leading to breakthroughs that benefit society as a whole.
His stance on UBI aligns with his broader philosophy of empowering individuals and improving society.
By ensuring that everyone has a safety net, Zuckerberg posits that more people would be able to contribute to their communities in meaningful ways.
His support underscores the growing interest in UBI among Silicon Valley’s elite and highlights how they see its potential benefits for fostering innovation and community engagement.
5. Sam Altman
Sam Altman, the former president of Y Combinator and co-founder of OpenAI, is another tech leader who has shown interest in UBI.
Altman sees UBI as a potential tool to ensure that everyone benefits from technological progress.
In a blog post, Altman stated, “We should make sure that everyone shares in the economic upside of technology, not just the investors and the entrepreneurs.”
He suggests that UBI could be a way to distribute the wealth generated by technological advancements more equitably.
Altman’s company, Y Combinator, even launched a pilot program in Oakland, California, to study the effects of giving people a basic income.
Although the results of this experiment have not yet been published, the fact that such a renowned tech incubator is exploring the idea testifies to the growing interest in UBI within the tech community.
It’s unfortunate that Altman is part of the problem with his company OpenAI.
6. Richard Branson
Sir Richard Branson, the founder of the Virgin Group, is another prominent figure who has expressed support for UBI.
Branson sees UBI as a potential solution to the job losses that might result from technological advancements.
In a blog post on Virgin’s website, Branson said, “With the acceleration of [Artificial Intelligence] and other new technology…the world is changing fast. A lot of exciting new innovations are going to be created, which will generate a lot of opportunities and a lot of wealth, but there is a real danger it could also reduce the amount of jobs.”
Branson believes that UBI could help offset these changes by providing a basic level of security for all citizens.
He also suggests that UBI may foster entrepreneurial spirit by providing people with the financial stability to take risks and pursue their own ventures.
Branson’s endorsement is significant because it adds the perspective of a successful entrepreneur to the conversation about UBI.
His support for the idea brings attention to the potential benefits of UBI in fostering entrepreneurship and mitigating job losses due to technological changes.
7. Chris Hughes
Chris Hughes, one of the co-founders of Facebook, is a staunch advocate for UBI.
After leaving Facebook, Hughes founded the Economic Security Project, an organization that aims to end poverty and rebuild the middle class in the United States through cash transfer programs.
Hughes argues that UBI could help address income inequality, which he believes is a major issue in society today.
He suggests that a basic income could provide a safety net for individuals and families, allowing them more financial stability and freedom to pursue opportunities.
In his book “Fair Shot: Rethinking Inequality and How We Earn,” Hughes makes a case for providing a guaranteed income of $500 per month to every adult in households earning less than $50,000 annually. He believes this could be funded by taxes on the wealthiest 1% of Americans.
Hughes’ advocacy for UBI brings an important perspective to the table.
As a tech entrepreneur who has profited enormously from his venture, Hughes acknowledges the role of luck in his success and argues for a redistribution of wealth to address growing inequality.
His support for UBI underscores the growing interest in this idea among tech entrepreneurs who see it as a potential solution to societal challenges wrought by changes in technology and the economy.
8. Guy Standing
Guy Standing, a British economist and professor, is a long-time advocate for UBI.
He has written numerous books on the subject and is a co-founder of the Basic Income Earth Network, an organization that promotes UBI worldwide.
Standing argues that UBI is a matter of social justice.
He believes that it can reduce poverty and income inequality, and give people the freedom to engage in work that is meaningful to them without worrying about meeting their basic needs.
In his book “Basic Income: And How We Can Make It Happen,” Standing lays out a detailed case for UBI.
He addresses common criticisms and provides suggestions for how it could be funded and implemented.
Standing’s tireless advocacy has done much to raise awareness of UBI worldwide.
His work underscores the potential of UBI as a tool for addressing socioeconomic challenges and promoting social justice.
Understanding the Bigger Picture
The growing support for Universal Basic Income among influential figures highlights its potential as a tool to address modern economic challenges.
However, understanding the concept goes beyond knowing who supports it.
Explore academic research, economic theories, and real-world experiments related to UBI. Analyze the pros and cons, and consider how it could be implemented in different societal and economic contexts.
Continual learning and open-minded discussion about UBI are key to forming an informed opinion on this subject.
So, don’t stop here. Keep diving into this fascinating topic and contribute to the conversation with your newfound knowledge.
