Universal Basic Income – Which Class Will Benefit?
Communists and Reform Movements
LOS ANGELES (USA), September 10 — “Can we talk about reformist organizing?” asked a friend. “I think it’s worthwhile, but the problem is that reformism affirms larger structures of domination. What messaging can you embed in reformist organizing that says, ‘This is for now, but eventually we want a fully egalitarian society’?”
Here is one experience, from a union “social justice” committee Zoom meeting that included Red Flag readers.
The group was discussing “Universal Basic Income” (UBI). The chair proposed this as a step toward meeting the needs of all union members, especially part-timers.
A comrade jumped in. “If our goal is to meet everyone’s needs,” she started, “then we have to be talking about something different from capitalism. ‘From each according to ability, to each according to need’ is not a reform demand.
“UBI could backfire, making things worse for many,” she continued. “It was originally proposed by conservatives. They wanted a single payment to replace all other government aid, like food and housing subsidies.
“Could a household live on UBI payments, if nobody had a paying job? Or would it mire the neediest in grinding poverty—especially where the cost of living is high?”
The chair commented that “if UBI was implemented, it is important that it not affect other payments that low income people already receive from the government. It should not take the place of other state or federal monies.”
Meanwhile, the comrade posted links to Red Flag in the Zoom chat.
UBI: Capitalists Try to Save Their System
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. advocated UBI. In 1969, President Nixon proposed a “Family Assistance Plan” that promised all families, working or not, $500 per adult and $300 per child annually. Work requirements would have forced many recipients into virtual slave labor.
The equivalent today would be about $3500 per adult and $2100 per child annually. The current (outrageously low) federal poverty level for one person is $12,760, and $26,200 for four people.
Now right-wing tech executives like Thiel, Musk and Zuckerberg join Democratic politicians like Sanders and Obama in pushing UBI. Former presidential candidate Andrew Yang proposed that “Every U.S. citizen over the age of 18 would receive $1,000 a month” regardless of income or location.
Racist Yang claims that “you and everyone you know” would get these checks. Apparently, he’s not talking to anyone who knows a non-citizen!
Yang distinguishes UBI from communism: “Communism is, by definition, a revolutionary movement to create a classless, moneyless, and stateless social order built upon shared ownership of production.”
In contrast, UBI “fits seamlessly into capitalism. It is necessary for the continuation of capitalism through the wave of automation and worker displacement. Markets need consumers to sell things to.”
So, UBI is a capitalist attempt to resolve the irreconcilable contradictions of the capitalist system. Before increasingly impoverished and infuriated masses join the communist revolutionary movement to destroy it.
Capitalists, Liberals and Socialists on Same Page
Class-collaborationist union officials like SEIU’s Andy Stern advocate UBI. The Movement for Black Lives endorsed it as part of “reparations.” Canada’s Leap Manifesto says it will advance environmental sustainability.
Some describe UBI as a “non-reformist reform.” They say it’s winnable under capitalism but somehow has the potential to lead beyond it.
Amidst sharp capitalist crisis, some version of UBI is most likely “winnable” in some places. But the capitalist ruling class is likely to win more than those most in need. Especially if it diverts workers from communist revolution.
Reforms can’t lead us beyond capitalism. As our friend said in our discussion group, reformism “affirms larger structures of domination.” A teacher on the union committee participated in that discussion group for the first time and said they “enjoyed the meeting.”
Mobilize for Communism Now
Capitalism can’t provide full employment. Communism can, because “many hands make light work.”
In capitalism, more technology means more misery. Communism will create and use technology that serves the masses.
Capitalism can’t meet the masses’ most basic needs. Communism can, because all production will be organized toward that goal.
Capitalism can’t eliminate its growing gulf between a handful of billionaires and billions of desperate workers. Communism will end both wealth and poverty by eliminating the money system.
Communists participate in fights for reform – like Black Lives Matter protests or strikes. But our role is to advocate for communism, not for reform. It’s to build ties with activists that enable us to engage them in ongoing political struggle.
If we want a “fully egalitarian society eventually,” as our friend does, we have to mobilize for communism now. Work like the comrade’s in the union committee meeting can bring more friends and co-workers to Party-led discussion groups and into the Party.