,
8 tweets,
4 min read
Read on Twitter
Our @HarvardHBS MBA course on #ManagingTheFutureOfWork is underway!
I share a few key ideas from each class that sparked conversation.
Class 20 looked at policy proposals for potential job displacement like UBI, federal job guarantees, and an expanded EITC (case 819-035).
I share a few key ideas from each class that sparked conversation.
Class 20 looked at policy proposals for potential job displacement like UBI, federal job guarantees, and an expanded EITC (case 819-035).
With tech reshaping the economy, policies like UBI & a federal job guarantee have become popular as ways to boost the safety net & handle change. Class considered three key features of these policies: whether they are universal, means-tested / targeted support, or work-connected.
Some thought universality a moral principle, others said the ethical way is to target aid to neediest. All agreed progressivity is important but the mechanisms (eg tax back UBI) for achieving it varied. And the EITC earned high marks for its success in bringing people into work.
Students' twists on UBI were insightful:
-Index it to local costs of living to address geographic inequalities
-Increase payouts for parents
-Create a two-tiered UBI, w/ a lower amount for open uses or a higher stipend earmarked for eg education, healthcare, job training
-Index it to local costs of living to address geographic inequalities
-Increase payouts for parents
-Create a two-tiered UBI, w/ a lower amount for open uses or a higher stipend earmarked for eg education, healthcare, job training
Job guarantee concerns centered on management. Solutions:
-Public-private partnerships
-Make jobs transitional instead of permanent
-Create tiers of guaranteed public sector jobs for roles with low labor supply v private subsidies to get new & displaced workers into new roles
-Public-private partnerships
-Make jobs transitional instead of permanent
-Create tiers of guaranteed public sector jobs for roles with low labor supply v private subsidies to get new & displaced workers into new roles
Class also examined how to fund these programs (which have price tags in $tns). Do you cut existing welfare programs? Raise taxes?... A popular slogan is to is "tax the Silicon Valley rich". But, even with high inequality, it's not enough - raises would need to be broader.
Class assumed personas to assess varying viewpoints:
-Labor leader: UBI supports workers, but worry companies lower wages
-Walmart CEO: More $$ in WMT shopper's pockets, but worry about cost impacts
-SBA head: Consider subsidies for jobs that support SMEs
-Labor leader: UBI supports workers, but worry companies lower wages
-Walmart CEO: More $$ in WMT shopper's pockets, but worry about cost impacts
-SBA head: Consider subsidies for jobs that support SMEs
@jainfamilyinst CEO @StynesMichael joined us to discuss the research the institute supports. It is involved in a number of the most cutting edge basic income studies in the US and around the world:
