Why Left Reciprocity Theories Are Inconsistent
Noguera, Jose A. (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona)

Date:	2007
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.
Grants:	Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia SEJ2006-00959/SOCI
Rights:	Tots els drets reservats.
Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió publicada
Subject:	Basic income ; Distributive justice ; Reciprocity ; Right to work ; Social benefits ; Workfare
Published in:	Basic income studies, Vol. 2 Núm. 1 (june 2007) , p. 1-22, ISSN 1932-0183

DOI: 10.2202/1932-0183.1056

22 p, 201.8 KB

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Research literature > UAB research groups literature > Research Centres and Groups (research output) > Social and Legal Sciences > GSADI Analytical Sociology & Institutional Design
Articles > Research articles
Articles > Published articles