Of machines and men

On June 5, 2016 Swiss voters were called to vote on a referendum to introduce a guaranteed basic income for all. Since work was increasingly automated, the supporters argued, fewer jobs were available for workers. The proposal was therefore to pay a monthly income of 2,500 Swiss francs ($2,555) for adults, whether they worked or not, and also 625 francs for each child. The electors overwhelmingly rejected a proposal.