Episode 4 - The Green New Deal vs. Universal Basic Income
Episode description
Democrats have had their first primary debates of the election cycle, and it's definitely a crowded field at this point, but one candidate in particular has caught our attention: Silicon Valley entrepreneur and former corporate attorney Andrew Yang.
Over the past few months, Yang has rose to prominence promoting a Universal Basic Income plan that he calls the "Freedom Dividend", which guarantees every American a monthly stipend of $1000. But what are the drawbacks of this plan, and how does it compare to the vastly superior Green New Deal put forward recently by Senator Edward Markey and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez? Will it help workers gain back control of their economy and their workplaces, or is it a simple bait-and-switch tactic?
In this episode, we compare and contrast the Green New Deal and the so-called "Freedom Dividend", provide some analysis on how these plans might look on a local level, and present both strategies within the concept of a socialist economy, framing the argument as a battle between the needs of labor vs. the whims of capital.
The Lowcountry is on the front lines of both climate change and a shifting economy in favor of predatory capitalists. Understanding how these two very different approaches tackle these issues is critical.
For further critical analysis on Andrew Yang and the "Freedom Dividend"
1. "Why is Andrew Yang Running for President?" by Mehdi Hassan: https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/deconstructed?selected=FLM7275244952
2. "The Case Against a Basic Income" by Daniel Zamora: https://www.jacobinmag.com/2017/12/universal-basic-income-inequality-work
3. "Universal Basic Income: Ruling class scam or step toward socialism?" by Tim Libretti: https://www.peoplesworld.org/article/universal-basic-income-ruling-class-scam-or-step-toward-socialism/
4. "On The Politics of Basic Income" by Peter Frase: http://www.peterfrase.com/2018/07/on-the-politics-of-basic-income/
Music by: Peg & The Rejected, Defy The Mall, KIRK, The Dubbstyle, and Regular Gonzalez