The Origins of Universal Grants: An Anthology of Historical Writings on Basic Capital and Basic Income

Should all young adults receive a capital grant? Should all individuals be given a lifetime regular income? Would either form of payment be just or unjust? These questions figure prominently in recent social philosophy and policy discussions on "stakeholding" and "basic income". Both types of proposal have a long, but largely unknown history. This anthology contains a wide variety of historical contributions, some of which are presented in English for the first time, highlighting striking parallels between past and present debates.