With Liberty and Dividends for All

Peter Barnes argues that because of globalization, automation, and winner-take-all capitalism, there won'Äôt be enough high-paying jobs to sustain America'Äôs middle class in the future. Therefore, to survive economically, our middle class needs'Äîand deserves'Äîa supplementary source of nonlabor income.


To meet this need, Barnes proposes to give every American a share of the wealth we own together'Äî starting with our air and financial infrastructure. These shares would pay dividends of several thousand dollars per year'Äîmoney that wouldn'Äôt be welfare or wealth redistribution but legitimate property income.