All of us need certain things to make our lives possible – and worth living. A roof over our heads, nourishing food, education, healthcare, water and electricity, transport, access to the internet and a safe environment.
The Social Guarantee says meeting these needs should be the primary goal of our political and economic systems. Everyone should have a right to everyday necessities, not just people who can afford them.
Our new series, the Social Guarantee Discussion Papers will explore different concepts within the Social Guarantee in detail. Our aim is to stimulate discussion and debate around the aims and principles of a system designed around meeting people's needs.
The Case for Universal Basic Services
Anna Coote and Andrew Percy set out the case for Universal Basic Services, the bedrock of The Social Guarantee. They argue that this transformational new policy is exactly what we need to save our societies and our planet. The old argument that free markets and individual choice are the best way to solve pressing problems of poverty, inequality and environmental degradation has led us to catastrophe, and must be abandoned. The authors show that expanding the principle of collective universal service provision to everyday essentials like transport, childcare and housing is not only the best way of tackling many of the biggest problems facing the contemporary world: it’s also efficient, practical and affordable.
The Social Guarantee is a new project. How best to deliver Universal Basic Services is an ongoing conversation. We would very much welcome your thoughts and ideas. Please do get in touch with us on info@socialguarantee.org or sign up for our newsletter above!