Why Left Reciprocity Theories Are Inconsistent

Noguera José A.
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Noguera José A.: Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

Basic Income Studies, 2007, vol. 2, issue 1, 22

Abstract: The reciprocity objection is one of the most widespread criticisms against Basic Income (BI). In this article I challenge the consistency between the reciprocity principle and the preferred policy options of left reciprocity theorists. I argue that any consistent policy design for a reciprocity theory should satisfy two conditions: 1. Everyone who benefits from social resources contributes relevantly (reciprocally) to society's efforts; and 2. Everyone who contributes relevantly to society benefits from social resources. BI is accused by reciprocity theorists of failing to satisfy Condition 1. But, surprisingly, their preferred policy pack also fails to satisfy Condition 1, and seems badly prepared to satisfy Condition 2. Significantly, left reciprocity theorists reject those options that would satisfy both conditions. I suggest that other normative values and intuitions may explain that inconsistency and indicate that the reciprocity objection to BI is wrong for principled reasons.

Keywords: Keywords – basic income; distributive justice; reciprocity; right to work; social benefits; workfare. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2007
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DOI: 10.2202/1932-0183.1056

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