This book surveys recent developments in public economics by studying the proposals for a basic income/flat tax scheme. It discusses various approaches to taxation and presents a framework for a system which would affect both personal income and the social security system, replacing the one by a flat-rate income tax and the other by a guaranteed income. The idea has generated wide interest in a number of countries, and is being actively discussed by a number of political groups. This book explains how these changes would benefit a wide variety of social groups, but asks how a single reform can meet the very different objectives of different supporters.