A/HRC/35/26
in which the global economy appears inexorably to be heading. While there are many
objections, relating to affordability in particular, the concept should not be rejected out of
hand on the grounds that it is utopian. In today’s world of severe economic insecurity,
creativity in social policy is necessary.
The report calls for acknowledgement of the fact that economic insecurity represents
a fundamental threat to all human rights. It calls for the rights to work, social security, and
an adequate standard of living to be accorded prominence on the human rights agenda.
Linked to this is the need to acknowledge the central role of the State, of fair and
progressive fiscal policies, and of redistributive justice. Most importantly, the debates over
social protection floors and basic income need to be brought together. They have thus far
been kept largely separate, in a counterproductive and ultimately self-defeating way.
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