Finland considers paying every citizen 800 EUR every month

[Dustdevil]

This is actually a good idea in theory. The discussion in Europe that generous welfare benefits discourage claimants from accepting or even looking for work is valid. Even more so, with lower skilled unemployed.

This idea largely solves that problem in one fell swoop. The problem in practice would be to prevent fraud.

I have to agree, and I think if you compare the U.S., western Europe and Japan, three places where I've spent a lot of years, each one has advantages and disadvantages, so it's up to the individual which system s/he feels comfortable with (maybe even all three, if you're flexible). In Europe since the 1970s I've known people who just get by on welfare and other benefits for decades. They drive a small car, have enough to eat, pay their utility bills (or maybe the government does). There you go. They never get ahead, but they're satisfied--and not motivated to begin a career. I don't know if I could hack a life like that, a life of limited horizons. Would a quality woman want me, for example?

[FredNL]

Won't the government go broke?

They onle pay their citizens... Let the import from the middel east and pakistan / afghanistan work and pay taxes for a living...

Edited December 7, 2015 by FredNL

[Dustdevil]

The Swiss are considering the same type of program, but 2500 Swiss francs a month. That's $2500! I'm going to start looking online for Swiss Cupid.com

[OMGImInPattaya]

A novel, abet seemingly socialist idea.

I'm not convinced of the economic rationality of it though.

BTW, Finnish is one hell of a difficult language to learn.

From memory, Slavic based, while the rest of the Scandinavian countries are Nordic based.

Nice country, great people and they love their gin!

It's not really socialism as basically what the proposal is to take all the currently paid out benefits in disparate social insurance schemes and lump them into one lump sum cash payment. The recipient could then choose how best to allocate these funds to their particular needs. Administratively it would be easier because you don't have to qualify for it...it's automatic and politically it's an easy sell because everyone gets it (not just "the poor"). The primary benefit is that it keeps purchasing power in the economy, even for unemployed or low income folks and so keeps money in circulation and in theory the economy humming along. Something like this was even considered in the United States by the Nixon administration and was recently voted on (down) in Switzerland.