1797

Thomas Paine proposed a national fund that would pay every person a share of the common inheritance — as a right, not as charity.

1958 to 1994

Louis Kelso and Mortimer Adler argued that ownership of capital must spread to every household. James Meade proposed a social dividend for every citizen. John Roemer designed an economy in which every adult holds an equal endowment of shares that cannot be sold.

Since 1982

Alaska has paid a yearly dividend to every eligible resident from a fund held in common — and research finds it did not reduce employment.

Now

Huntos takes the idea worldwide: one share for every adult on earth, the same for all. Read more at /ideas.