Source: Adam Smith Institute
by Madsen Pirie
“Many people receiving state benefits prefer to think of them as coming from ‘the universe,’ or some impersonal source rather than from taxpayers’ contributions. If benefits are thought of as transfers from workers, recipients may feel stigmatized, as though they are dependent on, or a burden to, others. They are dependent on, and supported by others, but they prefer not to acknowledge that fact. Imagining benefits as coming from a neutral, impersonal source, or even ‘the universe,’ helps them preserve the dignity of not having the sense of being beholden to any particular people.” (09/11/25)
https://www.adamsmith.org/blog/state-benefits-come-from-nowhere