Initiative for Basic Income, Initiative for Basic Income, SwitzerlandSwitzerland

presentspresents

A short story about Unconditional Basic IncomeA short story about Unconditional Basic Income

Added value through Basic IncomeAdded value through Basic Income

ValueValue

The coal under the ground and the apple on the The coal under the ground and the apple on the tree have no value. tree have no value.

The moment I approach the apple and bite into The moment I approach the apple and bite into it, a value is attached to it it, a value is attached to it

Added valueAdded value

If I do not eat the apple, but take it to the market, value If I do not eat the apple, but take it to the market, value is added to it. is added to it.

Added value is generated through work I provide for Added value is generated through work I provide for others. others.

Added value is that which I do not Added value is that which I do not eat myself!eat myself!

Work and IncomeWork and Income

If I eat the apple directly from the tree, If I eat the apple directly from the tree,

I don’t need income.I don’t need income.

I only need income to plant apple trees for others, I only need income to plant apple trees for others,

or to pick and process apples. or to pick and process apples.

……while doing this I cannot stand under the tree eating while doing this I cannot stand under the tree eating apples. apples.

While doing this I cannot provide myself with apples, While doing this I cannot provide myself with apples, because I am working to provide others. because I am working to provide others.

For this I have to be provided by others. For this I have to be provided by others.

For…For…

MoneyMoney

Money allows me to buy things others produce.Money allows me to buy things others produce.

If they don’t produce, money has no value.If they don’t produce, money has no value.

Without others who produce there is nothing to buy. Without others who produce there is nothing to buy.

I can only buy what producers don’t consume, I can only buy what producers don’t consume,

and have made available for others.and have made available for others.

FreedomFreedom

Income frees me from the need to provide for me.Income frees me from the need to provide for me.

I am freed, indeed, through others who produce and I am freed, indeed, through others who produce and provide me with goods.provide me with goods.

The garden of subsistence is gone – we no longer The garden of subsistence is gone – we no longer provide for ourselves.provide for ourselves.

Where the division of labour prevailsWhere the division of labour prevails

one does not provide for oneselfone does not provide for oneself

that’s why everybody should be that’s why everybody should be provided with a basic income! provided with a basic income!

More about Added More about Added Value through a Basic Income Value through a Basic Income

Initiative Grundeinkommen Initiative Grundeinkommen (Initiative for Unconditional Basic Income)(Initiative for Unconditional Basic Income)

Enno Schmidt and Daniel HäniEnno Schmidt and Daniel Häni