{"sourceInsights":[{"id":"113013429","lede":"Programs conditional on work - like earned income tax credits - may apply minor downward pressure on wages, but the effect is more than compensated for by the overall net gains in low-wage workers from these programs. Universal programs, on the other hand, may avoid the downward pressure altogether.","slug":"universal-welfare-programs-do-not-act-as-employer-subsidies-while-programs-condit","title":"Universal welfare programs do not act as employer subsidies, while programs conditional on work might, though not overwhelmingly so.","showTitleAsQuote":false,"epistemicStatus":"empirical","reports":[{"id":"19519421","title":"Basic Income","slug":"basic-income"}],"tags":[{"slug":"wages","name":"Wages","id":"49378899","lede":"","ledeExcerpt":"","featured":null},{"slug":"stability","name":"Stability","id":"23916385","lede":"

We define stability as the resiliency, robustness, and constancy of our nested social, financial, and environmental systems. Stability is the degree to which our systems can withstand stress and maintain their functionality over time.

\n\n

Why do we need stability? All else equal, a stable society is preferable to an unstable society. Stability - the product of the harmonious interaction between parts, or interwoven systems - protects against uncertainty and decay. For example, a healthy body regulates its blood glucose levels to provide cells with their required energy. Too much glucose makes cells sticky, with a paralyzing effect. Too little glucose starves them. What's important is the constancy of glucose regulation within functional limits, and the resiliency to maintain this regulation amidst adversity.

\n\n

Instability occurs when systems transgress functional limits, causing the breakdown of other systems and suffering for those who depend on them. When interlocking systems remain stable, they provide a fertile foundation for positive expectations that fuel investments in progress and broad cooperation throughout society.

\n","ledeExcerpt":"We define stability as the resiliency, robustness, and constancy of our nested social, financial, and environmental systems. Stability is the degree to which our systems can withstand stress and maintain their functionality over time. \n\nWhy do we need stability? All else equal, a stable society is preferable to an unstable society. Stability - the product of the harmonious interaction between parts, or interwoven systems - protects against uncertainty and decay. For example, a healthy body regulates its blood glucose levels to provide cells with their required energy. Too much glucose makes cells sticky, with a paralyzing effect. Too little glucose starves them. What's important is the constancy of glucose regulation within functional limits, and the resiliency to maintain this regulation amidst adversity.\n\nInstability occurs when systems transgress functional limits, causing the breakdown of other systems and suffering for those who depend on them. When interlocking systems remain stable, they provide a fertile foundation for positive expectations that fuel investments in progress and broad cooperation throughout society.","featured":true},{"slug":"safety-net","name":"Safety Net","id":"102567776","lede":"

The safety net refers to government programs that unconditionally assure a minimum amount of welfare that no citizen can fall below.

\n\n

Examples of safety net programs include SNAP benefits (food stamps), Medicaid, and basic income.

\n\n

By way of example, imagine a tight-rope strung across a deep chasm. If falling to the ground poses danger, a safety net is strung to catch anyone who falls, mitigating the danger.

\n","ledeExcerpt":"The safety net refers to government programs that unconditionally assure a minimum amount of welfare that no citizen can fall below.\n\nExamples of safety net programs include SNAP benefits (food stamps), Medicaid, and basic income.\n\nBy way of example, imagine a tight-rope strung across a deep chasm. If falling to the ground poses danger, a safety net is strung to catch anyone who falls, mitigating the danger.","featured":null},{"slug":"universalism","name":"Universalism","id":"101707811","lede":"

One of the defining conflicts of economic discourse today is the debate over whether government programs should be 'targeted' to particular demographics - such as stimulus payments only going to those who earn less than $75,000 per year - or if they should be 'universal', provided to all citizens (and taxed to adjust distribution afterwards).

\n\n

Universal programs boast the virtue of simplicity, while carrying the burden of size. Universal programs require far less bureaucracy, since no determination of who is eligible for payments is required. Advocates suggest that society can still tailor the distributional effects of universal programs by taxing 'on the backend'. But universal programs thus carry significantly higher gross costs, and require greater disbursement of public funds up front.

\n\n

Targeted programs effectively 'tax on the frontend', adjusting the distribution of a program before giving it out. Thus, they have smaller price tags, but require more complex infrastructure to keep track of eligibility and adjust accordingly.

\n","ledeExcerpt":"One of the defining conflicts of economic discourse today is the debate over whether government programs should be 'targeted' to particular demographics - such as stimulus payments only going to those who earn less than $75,000 per year - or if they should be 'universal', provided to all citizens.\n\nUniversal programs boast the virtue of simplicity, while carrying the burden of size. Universal programs require far less bureaucracy, since no determination of who is eligible for payments is required. Advocates suggest that society can still tailor the distributional effects of universal programs by taxing 'on the backend'. But universal programs thus carry significantly higher gross costs, and require greater disbursement of public funds up front.\n\nTargeted programs effectively 'tax on the frontend', adjusting the distribution of a program before giving it out. Thus, they have smaller price tags, but require more complex infrastructure to keep track of eligibility and adjust accordingly.","featured":true}],"sources":[{"id":"113013422","lede":"A critical analysis of the sentiment that government aid represents a subsidy paid to low-wage employers, allowing companies like Walmart or McDonald's to pay workers less than they would otherwise, if there were less government aid.","link":"https://www.brookings.edu/opinions/does-the-government-subsidize-low-wage-employers/","slug":"does-the-government-subsidize-low-wage-employers","kind":"Article","title":"Does the Government Subsidize Low Wage Employers?","year":null,"researchers":[{"id":"113013419","location":"Brookings Institution","name":"Gary Burtless","seoDescription":"","slug":"gary-burtless"}]}]}],"source":{"id":"113013422","lede":"A critical analysis of the sentiment that government aid represents a subsidy paid to low-wage employers, allowing companies like Walmart or McDonald's to pay workers less than they would otherwise, if there were less government aid.","link":"https://www.brookings.edu/opinions/does-the-government-subsidize-low-wage-employers/","slug":"does-the-government-subsidize-low-wage-employers","kind":"Article","title":"Does the Government Subsidize Low Wage Employers?","year":null,"researchers":[{"id":"113013419","location":"Brookings Institution","name":"Gary Burtless","seoDescription":"","slug":"gary-burtless"}]}}