101 reasons for a Citizen's Income: Arguments for Giving Everyone Some Money (Shorts Insights) Paperback – 10 Jun. 2015

Builds a formidable and convincing case for a Citizen's Income. In answer to another reviewer, yes some arguments are brief, but that's the nature of a short introduction to an idea; yes, there is repetition, but as the author points out in the Introduction, that's because he wants each of the 101 points to be able to stand on its own without the reader having to make reference to reasoning elaborated elsewhere. No doubt there are other arguments that could be made in support of Citizen's Income - I agree that more might have been made of the arguments for economic necessity as the nature of production and work changes. But overall, I'd say this is an enlightening, convincing presentation of the basic ideas. I challenge anyone to read this book and not be intrigued by the possibilities.

Malcolm Torry is director of the Citizen’s Income Trust, and a major advocate for a universal unconditional citizen income. His earlier book ‘Money for Everyone’ presented a powerful case. This shorter book works less well. It includes many good points, but it’s an artificial idea that there are 101 reasons for a citizen income. This artifice inevitably leads to huge and tiresome repetition, and hence to a dilution of the argument. It also leads to forced brevity, meaning that it’s unclear which of Torry’s points are empirically tested hypotheses, which are compelling arguments, and which are subjective speculation. This weakens claims that citizen income generates increased employment, women participation, new business formation, training, voluntary work, creative endeavour, even house price reduction.A short succinct structured focussed summary would more effectively communicate the case for citizen income. There are in fact 3 main category reasons for citizen income : social justice (which only makes it as number 90 in Torry’s list), benefit system effectiveness and efficiency (eliminating poverty and unemployment traps and invasive bureaucracy, which is Torry’s forte), and economic necessity (the argument to which Torry gives scant attention, that the divergence of productivity and real wages leads to deficient demand and economic crisis for which citizen income is the unique solution). A presentation of this structured argument would be more communicative and compelling, but this would require more consolidation between the various advocates of citizen income.

This, for many, will, before reading this, seem counter-intuitive but it is a well argued introduction to the citizen's income which deserves serious consideration.

This book very much compliments the author's previous title 'Money for Everyone', (also published by Policy Press) and given the current interest in the concept of a citizen's income in policy circles this latest title is very welcome and timely. For anyone looking for an introduction to the subject this is an ideal read providing brief but intelligent arguments in support of the concept of a citizen's income. What is especially helpful is the way the book is structured into subject areas explaining not just the why but the how it could work, the benefits both on an individual level and the wider positive outcomes for society. In a world where so many changes are taking place in the nature of work and the implications, identifying policy solutions now can only help and the concept of a citizen's income as outlined by the author is certainly worthy of further consideration. My hope is that this book will serve the purpose of showing a positive alternative for the future.

The arguments outlined in this book are well worth a read for students as well as lay readers interested in this area of welfare reform