Value orientations and support for guaranteed income

Donald R. Richards and Thomas L Steiger

Social Science Quarterly, 2021, vol. 102, issue 6, 2733-2751

Abstract: Background The idea of a “guaranteed annual income” (GAI) is at least 40 years old. While debated by academics and experimented with in several countries, it has not carried much weight in US public opinion until recently. Andrew Yang's support for it in his run for the 2020 Democrat nomiation for US President and the recently completed “Stockton Experiment” has garnered more press attention. Objective Examine support for a guaranteed annual income (GAI) in relation to attitudes regarding the role of work as an individual and social value. Methods A representative sample of United States adults were surveyed about their attitudes toward work, their view of government and support for GAI. Results A solid majority support GAI. This support comes in the face of a rather strong endorsement of the work ethic. Far from seeing the GAI as a disincentive to work, respondents indicate, on the whole, that they would not reduce their work hours if they received a GAI. Conclusion Data were collected during a pandemic that disrupted daily life. Thus, people may be ready to re‐examine some basic assumptions about the roles that state and market should play in society as well as re‐examine just what they are willing to define as “fair” and “just” in terms of economic responsibilities and rewards.

Date: 2021
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