The concept of a Universal Basic Income (UBI) - a fixed sum of money periodically provided to all citizens by the government - has gained significant traction in recent years.

Question:  Would the implementation of a Universal Basic Income program effectively address income inequality and economic insecurity?  Analyze the potential economic effects of UBI, considering both its benefits and drawbacks, on factors like:

• Labor Market Participation: Would a guaranteed income disincentivize people from working, leading to labor shortages in certain sectors?
• Inflation: How might UBI impact inflation, considering the increased aggregate demand it would inject into the economy?
• Income Distribution: Would UBI effectively reduce income inequality, or would the benefits disproportionately favor wealthier segments of society?
• Fiscal Sustainability: Could a UBI program be fiscally sustainable in the long run, considering the ongoing government expenditure it would require?
• Social Safety Net:  How would UBI interact with existing social safety net programs, potentially leading to redundancies or inefficiencies?