Why not distribute only based on need?

While it makes sense to distribute income based on need to those who are disadvantaged or to those who are too young or too old to work, it is recommended that income received from work is for effort and sacrifice for the following two reasons.

Firstly, it is unfair – only distributing based on need doesn’t take into account the sacrifices people make at work. It is only fair to compensate those who choose to work harder, longer or perform more unpleasant or dangerous tasks.

Secondly, it is hard to evaluate whether one person’s need is greater than another’s. In a situation where two people have comparable circumstances, on what basis does one get more than the other? This could lead to acrimony and feelings of injustice

Ultimately in a participatory economy power rests with citizens, and any groups of people within their self-managed neighbourhood consumers’ councils, workers’ councils or federations, could choose to experiment with greater levels of income for need as they wish.