Joe Williams, "Inequality in the Digital Economy: The Case for a Universal Basic Income" (Palgrave Macmillan, 2024)

Andrew White's 'Inequality in the Digital Economy: The Case for a Universal Basic Income' examines how digital markets concentrate wealth and reshape labor, producing greater inequality and precarious employment. Drawing on historical comparisons between industrial-era employment and modern tech-driven firms, White argues that automation and platform dynamics threaten job creation and social stability. He situates universal basic income (UBI) within broader debates about sustainability, the value of different kinds of work, and redistributive policy, evaluating pilots and models such as Alaska's Permanent Fund. The book advocates for phased implementation and complementary structural reforms to avoid UBI becoming a mere sticking plaster that entrenches existing inequalities. It links environmental limits, the changing social meaning of work, and policy design to make a progressive case for UBI in advanced economies.

In 'Bullshit Jobs: A Theory', David Graeber argues that a significant portion of jobs in modern society are meaningless and contribute little to no value. He categorizes these jobs into five types: flunkies, goons, duct tapers, box tickers, and taskmasters. Graeber contends that these jobs are not only inefficient but also psychologically destructive, leading to chronic misery and social divisions. The book is based on his 2013 essay 'On the Phenomenon of Bullshit Jobs' and includes testimonials from workers who feel their jobs are pointless. Graeber suggests solutions such as unions and universal basic income to address the issue of meaningless work.