Monahan’s post thoroughly details the life and publications of Thomas Paine. Although now considered an American founding father, he was a controversial figure not even half a century ago. One of his works, Agrarian Justice, argues for a ground-rent for every citizen, given in a lump sum at the age of twenty-one as a means to avoid poverty and be productive. Many interpret Paine as one of the first supporters of basic income, even though such a grant would be a once-in-a-lifetime lump sum.
Sean Monahan, “Reading Paine from the Left”, Jacobin, 6 March 2015.
