I believe that providing individuals with universal basic income (UBI) will not contribute to the increase in social equality. On the contrary, reducing the barrier between various workers and the unemployed part of the population leads to the unequal redistribution of wealth. Individuals who choose to invest in their professional education eventually expect to receive higher salaries in the future. However, the lack of incentives for their ambition and hard work will make them feel unappreciated, as their labor is not reimbursed adequately. The contemporary capitalistic system usually allows individuals to climb the social ladder by gaining skills and experiences that eventually provide people with opportunities to earn higher wages. Therefore, inequality is not the correct term to refer to while describing a system that excludes UBI. While wealth and income differences can contribute to various forms of social inequalities, including unequal access to healthcare, the UBI cannot resolve it. The reason is that the economy’s resources will not be redistributed based on individuals’ talents or professional qualifications.
Furthermore, the sudden introduction of the UBI can contribute to the increase in inflation, because many individuals will have more opportunities to purchase items they could not access before. Thus, the rise in spending will drive up the overall demand. The producers will try to generate more commodities; however, if they cannot increase the supply, the prices will rise. Therefore, a healthy economy is not designed to incorporate UBI into its processes, as excessive demand will lead to economic instability and further inequalities. Individuals with the opportunity to save money will have greater access to various products and services. People who cannot save money due to the high medical expenses, the large family size, and more, will not be able to enjoy similar products. Overall, a fixed salary would not increase people’s living standards and social equality.