German researchers will test whether universal basic income can work by distributing about $ 1,400 a month to a group of people for three years.
The German experiment for the Institute for Economic Research will involve 1,500 people at random across the country, although only 120 will receive the money, the Times of London reported.
Funded by some 140,000 private donors, the pilot program will raise the equivalent of $ 1,430 per month, putting participants just above the poverty line.
The entire group will conduct regular surveys about their lives to measure how their attitudes and behaviors are changing, the outlet reported.
“So far, the debate looks at best like a philosophical salon, and at least a religious war,” said Jurgen Schupp, who will lead the study, German outlet Der Spiegel told The Times.
“On both sides, it is characterized by clichés: critics claim that a basic income would stop people from working and put them on the bank on fast bank and streaming services. Supporters say people with meaningful work would continue, become more creative and pro-social and save democracy. ”
So far, 90 percent of participants have said they will continue to work despite the new cash flow, the report said.
One participant said she would use the payments for her own entrepreneurial aspirations instead of becoming a member of her family’s hotel business, the outlet reported.
“I asked myself, ‘What do I spend my time and money on? Do I do this because I have to, or because I want to? What can I achieve with it? ” She said.
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