What is Citizen’s Dividend?
Citizen’s dividend is a proposed policy based upon the Georgist principle that the natural world is the common property of all people.
It is proposed that all citizens receive regular payments (dividends) from revenue raised by leasing or taxing the monopoly of valuable land and other natural resources.
You’ve probably been taught that nations cannot function without government. It’s OK. We were all taught that.
But it’s a lie.
In fact, eliminating the need for governments, all taxes and all of our paid politicians is really simple to do. I mean, look around you. How bad can government get now?
It seems to me, to get really rich, really quick these days just become a politician and take charge of your government.
A simple idea with transformative power! Imagine every person in your country receiving a regular payment, not as charity, but as their fair share of the value we all create together.
A Citizen’s Dividend is that payment: a universal income funded not by taxes on work or enterprise, but by the economic value of common resources — things like land, minerals, the airwaves, and even the natural environment that belongs to all of us.
When businesses or individuals use these shared assets, they pay rent or fees into a public fund. That fund is then returned equally to every citizen – as a dividend of citizenship.
It’s simple, just, and efficient: those who take more from our shared resources contribute more, and everyone shares in the benefits of the society we build together.
How It Works
1/ Collect economic rent – from land values, natural resources, and monopolies.
2/ Pool it into a public fund – transparent, accountable, non-political.
3/ Distribute it equally – every citizen receives a regular payment, the Citizen’s Dividend.
4/ It’s not welfare. It’s ownership made visible – recognizing that every person has a rightful claim to the value created by the community as a whole.
Citizen’s Dividend vs. Universal Basic Income
| Feature | Citizen’s Dividend | Universal Basic Income (UBI) |
| Funding source | From economic rent (land, natural resources, monopolies) | From general taxes or government debt |
| Philosophy | Shared ownership of common wealth | Redistribution of income |
| Economic effect | Encourages productive use of land and resources | Can raise prices if not funded sustainably |
| Fairness principle | “Everyone owns a share of nature and society” | “Everyone deserves support” |
| Long-term sustainability | Self-funding and non-inflationary | Dependent on tax policy and politics |
| Examples | Alaska Permanent Fund, Singapore land dividends | Finland UBI pilot, various proposals |
Why It Matters
Fairness
The value of land and natural resources isn’t created by individuals – it’s created by all of us.
A Citizen’s Dividend simply ensures everyone receives their rightful share.
It’s not a handout – it’s justice.
Freedom
When basic security is guaranteed, people gain the freedom to choose better work, pursue education, start businesses, or care for loved ones without fear of poverty.
Real freedom begins with economic independence.
Sustainability
By collecting rent on land and natural resources, we reward stewardship instead of speculation.
It aligns profit with planet, ensuring shared prosperity doesn’t come at the earth’s expense.
The Impacts
Housing Affordability
Land speculation drives up housing prices.
When land value is captured for the community and shared back, housing costs fall – making homes more affordable for everyone.
Fair Wages
Today, much of workers’ productivity flows to rent and unearned gains.
By redistributing economic rent, a Citizen’s Dividend lets wages reflect real effort and talent again.
Climate & Resource Justice
Pollution and resource extraction create private profit from public loss.
Charging for these uses and sharing the proceeds makes environmental responsibility profitable and fair.
Human Freedom
Financial insecurity traps millions in unwanted jobs or unsafe conditions.
A Citizen’s Dividend gives everyone the power to say no to exploitation and yes to opportunity.