Mo' Money Mo' ProblemsWork is an integral part of American culture, if not all of society. From a young age, children learn how to succeed in school so that they can succeed in a job in the future. Academic programs for college-aged students revolve around the area of ​​expertise in which they wish to pursue a profession. There are various reasons why people participate in certain careers. One of them is that the work is pleasant, easy, it's their passion, etc. However, the most important reason people have jobs is to make money. Money governs the economy; it is the only way to acquire goods and survive. Because of this simple fact, it is logical to recognize that those who are unemployed will have virtually nothing materially. There is a big disparity between the poorest and the richest. Besides social assistance and other public assistance, there is another social security system that is gaining popularity in recent times. Universal basic income (UBI) is financial assistance granted to everyone regardless of their socio-economic status, according to Tim Worstall (2015). There is much debate about whether large-scale UBI is possible, logical, or even moral. Regardless, it is important to consider how historical figures, namely Mary Wollstonecraft and John Locke, would view and whether they would agree or disapprove of UBI. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Universal basic income is not exactly a new and innovative idea. According to Judith Shulevitz, Thomas Paine came up with the idea of ​​offering financial assistance to young adults (2016). In doing so, the financial disparity between those who owned land and those who did not would diminish. UBI is an attractive social support service, such that a tax-free sum of money would be provided to each resident, unconditionally, on a regular basis. There were some cases in the 1970s where experimental implementation of UBI in the United States and Canada generated positive results (Schulevitz, 2016). More recently, Finland and Germany are considering implementing something very similar to UBI. Finland is currently working on a proposal to enact a law providing 800 euros for each of its citizens (Worstall, 2016). Although not on a national level, a small number of people in Germany receive $1,100 per month. Recipients of compensation in Germany find favor in the experience (Kirschbaum, 2015). Seventy percent of Finns approve of the prospect of having a UBI. Despite the apparent support for implementing a UBI, there are many arguments against UBI. One of the main arguments against UBI is that it will reduce funding for other services, such as education and health (Matthews, 2015). Another argument against UBI is that it takes away the value of work and work. According to Henning Meyer (2016), work is about more than just earning an income. “…social interactions take place…it is useful to preserve the social aspects of work.” Finally, it is estimated that UBI will remove any incentive to work (Gaffney, 2015). This can have negative effects on work ethics, production (Matthews, 2015), and the economy in general (Kirschbaum, 2016). Just as there are several opponents, proponents also have arguments in favor of UBI. One argument for UBI is that it will compensate mothers and their caregivers who work essentially for free(Shulevitz, 2016). Another argument in favor of UBI is that it will give more autonomy to the worker rather than the employer. According to Matt Breunlg (2015), many workers feel compelled to work, even in difficult environments, simply because they desperately need an income. With UBI, you have more flexibility to choose when to work. Many supporters view UBI as a better alternative to programs such as welfare and social security because it is a thorough process for receiving benefits (Shulevitz, 2016). With UBI, everyone would benefit from the same benefits without any conditions. Finally, UBI would significantly distribute wealth, no one would be left with nothing and everyone would have something (Matthews, 2015). It is difficult to determine whether or not John Locke and Mary Wollstonecraft would agree with UBI as a whole. However, there are certain aspects of UBI that they would find favorable, according to their ideals. In contrast, there are other aspects of UBI that they would find objectionable. One of the main underlying themes of Locke's Second Treatise on Government is the acquisition, protection, and maintenance of property. Locke said that once a person puts his or her labor into producing something, it essentially becomes his or her property. Locke uses an example that the fruits a person grows on a tree, by right, become his own (Locke, 1952, p. 18). Furthermore, Locke states that no one else has a right to another's property: "Every man has property in his own person." No one has a right to it except himself” (Locke, 1952, p. 18). That being said, Locke would not be in favor of the redistribution of wealth that would occur as a result of UBI. It can be said that money is included in the property that Locke speaks of in the Second Treatise. If UBI were implemented, people would be taxed at a higher rate to provide basic income (Matthews, 2015). That being said, Locke would find fault with this since this money is the product of a particular person's labor and no one else has a right to it. To add, Locke argues that the responsibility of government is to protect the property of citizens (Locke, 1952, p. 57). If UBI, according to Locke, is about taking away people's possessions, Locke would also believe that the government is not fulfilling its duty. Locke may completely disagree with UBI. Wollstonecraft, on the other hand, may have a more complicated view of UBI. Wollstonecraft wanted women in society to be more empowered and have goals that went beyond just being a wife and mother (Wollstonecraft, 2004, p. 28). She would appreciate it if women were included in the benefit of a basic income, and not just men. Additionally, Wollstonecraft was a strong advocate for the proper education of young girls (Wollstonecraft, 2004, p. 79). Poverty can have a negative effect on educational attainment. According to Shulevitz (2015), Indian girls who did not have access to money were less likely to go to school. However, when these girls had access to money, they went to school more. Wollstonecraft would agree with UBI as a way for the poor to receive an adequate education. Wollstonecraft would disagree with UBI if it meant people would work less. She emphasizes the importance of hard work and work in defending women's rights (Wollstonecraft, 2004, p.54). Wollstonecraft would not appreciate the decline in work ethic that might occur if UBI were carried out. Although it is unlikely that people would quit their jobs out of sheer laziness (Breunlg, 2015), it is possible that Wollstonecraft would find fault with any form.