Abstract

This paper explores the desirability and feasibility of a minimum income for the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) region. I review arguments in support of a basic income or a negative income tax for the European Union (EU). Then I examine ways in which the NAFTA countries do and do not resemble the EU in aspects relevant for the desirability and feasibility of a regional basic income. I argue that a case can be made for a North American guaranteed income, grounded, with respect to desirability, in a globalist theory of justice, and with respect to feasibility, in the necessity of moderating the flow of labor migration. A universal regional basic income is a useful tool for regional development that is fair and that insures better than does the current NAFTA that cooperation benefits the least advantaged.

Recommended Citation

Howard, Michael W. (2007) "A NAFTA Dividend: A Guaranteed Minimum Income for North America," Basic Income Studies: Vol. 2 : Iss. 1, Article 4.
DOI: 10.2202/1932-0183.1043
Available at: http://www.bepress.com/bis/vol2/iss1/art4