With Liberty and Dividends for All

Peter Barnes argues that because of globalization, automation, and winner-take-all capitalism, there won'Aot be enough high-paying jobs to sustain America'Aos middle class in the future. Therefore, to survive economically, our middle class needs'Aiand deserves'Aia supplementary source of nonlabor income. To meet this need, Barnes proposes to give every American a share of the wealth we own together'Ai starting with our air and financial infrastructure. These shares would pay dividends of several thousand dollars per year'Aimoney that wouldn'Aot be welfare or wealth redistribution but legitimate property income.