Universal Basic Income: a ready-to-run discussion lesson for advanced high school classes
Universal Basic Income: Should everyone get paid?
The idea: Every adult citizen receives ₩1,000,000 per month from the government. No conditions. You get it whether you work, study, or stay home.
Arguments FOR Universal Basic Income
1. Reduces poverty immediately People can afford food, rent, and healthcare even if they lose their job. No one falls through the cracks.
2. Gives people freedom to choose You can quit a bad job, start a business, or go back to school without worrying about starving. It rewards risk-taking.
3. Prepares us for automation Robots and AI are taking jobs. UBI gives people income when work disappears.
4. Cuts government bureaucracy No more applications, interviews, or means-testing for welfare. One simple payment for everyone saves money and time.
Arguments AGAINST Universal Basic Income
1. People will stop working Why work at a hard job if the government pays you to stay home? Society needs workers, not free riders.
2. Too expensive Paying every adult ₩1,000,000 monthly would cost more than Korea's entire budget. Taxes would skyrocket.
3. Causes inflation If everyone has more money, prices for rent and food will just go up. The poor stay poor.
4. Unfair to workers Why should a doctor and an unemployed person get the same ₩1,000,000? Hard work should be rewarded, not ignored.
Your task
- Choose a side (or your teacher will assign one).
- Pick your two strongest arguments.
- Debate a partner from the opposite side.
- Listen to their arguments and respond.