Introduction
The idea of a basic or citizens’ income rests on the principle that everyone is entitled to the resources which make possible at least a minimum standard of subsistence. This principle is well-established in those countries, particularly in Europe, with a developed welfare state tradition, although its implementation, even in those countries, is surrounded by qualifications centered on the obligation of able-bodied citizens to work and the restriction of public assistance to those who can prove their need for support, which are monitored by an enormous inhuman and incompetent bureaucratic apparatus of inspection, regulation and control. Moreover, the solidaristic welfare tradition is being eroded by individualistic approaches to welfare provision based on compulsory or voluntary, state or private insurance principles.
. “Der Mensch, den die Agenda 2010 im Blick hat, gleicht einem Zerrbild real existierender Menschen.” Zum Thema der Rentenanpassung heißt es: “Was unter Bundeskanzler Kohl als Kahlschlag gebrandmarkt wurde, gilt inzwischen als Reformprojekt.” Das allgemeine wirtschaftsliberale Denken ist gegen Kritik resistent: “Es ließ sich vom Widerspruch empirischer Konjunkturanalysen, Kreislaufdiagnosen, nachfrageorientierter Szenarien sowie vom Nachweis tatsächlicher Wechselwirkungen der monetären und realwirtschaftlichen Sphäre nicht beeindrucken.