BIEN
BASIC
INCOME EARTH NETWORK
NewsFlash Volume 26, no. 69, Spring 2013
www.basicincome.org
This is the newsletter of the Basic Income
Earth Network (BIEN), which was founded in 1986 as the Basic Income European
Network and expanded to become an Earth-wide Network in 2004. It serves as a
link between individuals and groups committed to or interested in basic income.
It fosters informed discussion on this topic throughout the world.
This NewsFlash, below, can also be downloaded
as a PDF document on our website www.basicincome.org.
This NewsFlash goes out to more than 1,500 subscribers four times a year.
If you would like to be added or removed from the subscription list, please go
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1. Editorial
2. International Basic Income news
A. INDIA: Results of Basic Income pilot
project to be evaluated at a conference in Delhi, May 30-31, 2013
B. EUROPEAN UNION: Citizens Initiative for Basic
Income
C. ITALY: 50,000 signatures in favour of a
Guaranteed Minimum Income delivered to the lower house of the Italian
Parliament
D. ITALY: 5 Star Movement and the confusing proposal of
a citizen's income
E. LATIN AMERICA: Latin American Parliament
passes basic income draft law
F. FINLAND: Campaign for basic income launched
G. NAMIBIA: BIG Advocate says pilot project less
likely to be restarted but hopeful that the government will introduce BIG after
the next election
H. ALASKA: New Debate Over the Future of the
Alaska Dividend as the State Gives Tax Break to Oil Companies
I. OREGON, UNITED STATES: Proposed amendment to
state constitution would create a small basic income
J. INTERNATIONAL: The BIG Movement
3. Publications
4. Events
5. New Links
6. Audio/Video
7. Blogs
8. About
the Basic Income Earth Network and the BIEN NewsFlash
The small, but persistent basic income movement is growing.
As you can see from the news stories below, new movement activity happening all
over the world. CitizensÕ movements in several European countries, and in the
European Union as a whole, have been pushing petition initiatives to collect
signatures for basic income. The Latin American Parliament endorsed the idea.
Proposed constitutional amendments in Oregon and Alaska would permanently
establish one form or another of basic income guarantee, and the pilot project
in India is showing great results. And as youÕll see from the publication
section below, people are writing more and more about basic income. This is an
optimistic edition of the NewsFlash.
[BIEN
– April 2013]
Since 2010, three overlapping pilot schemes have been testing how unconditional
cash grants could be expected to work in India. Altogether, over 6,000
individuals have been receiving monthly cash grants, including all men, women
and children of nine villages in Madhya Pradesh.
A public conference at which the evaluations of those pilots will be presented
will take place at the Indian International Centre Conference Hall, New Delhi,
on May 30-31, 2013.
The Minister of Rural Development, Jairam Ramesh, will open the Conference,
along with Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Deputy Chair of the National Planning
Commission. The Minister is also the Cabinet Minister in charge of rolling out
cash transfers across India. Other
very senior government and international agency dignitaries, from the UN, World
Bank and so on, will also be participating. Officials from various government
departments, academics and social activists are expected to attend, as are
representatives of the media.
The largest of the pilots was based on a randomised control trial methodology
(RCT). In this, a random sample of 8 villages in Madhya Pradesh was selected,
where every man, woman and child received individually a monthly cash benefit
each month for 17 months, with the money for each child going to the mother or
surrogate mother if she was dead or absent.
To evaluate the impact on health, schooling and so on, 12 other similar
villages were drawn as a control group, in which nobody received the transfers.
To assess the effects, a series of evaluation surveys were designed, beginning
with a baseline census of all households in all 20 villages undertaken just
before the launch of the cash payments.
Having done a listing of all households and individuals living in the villages
and the baseline census, an Awareness Day was held in each of the 8 villages
chosen to receive the cash grants. This involved a mass meeting of villagers,
when our local team informed the villagers that they would be receiving the
money, that it would be unconditional and paid universally, and that nobody
would intervene to say how the money could or should be spent or used.
All recipients were required to open a bank account or a cooperative account
within three months of receiving the first payment, which was handed out on
formal registration. After that, the money was paid directly into their
accounts. Initially, every adult was to receive 200 Rupees per month and every
child under the age of 14 was to receive 100. This was later modified to be 300
Rupees and 150 Rupees respectively.
After nine months, an Interim Evaluation Survey (IES) was conducted in all 20
villages, covering all the subjects on which we had hypothesised there would be
an impact on status, behaviour and attitudes. The IES covered a random sample
of households, and gave a special focus to issues of implementation and
Òfinancial inclusionÓ.
After 12 months, a Final Evaluation Survey (FES) was conducted, which was a
full census of all households and individuals in the 20 villages. After the
pilot ended, a Post-FES survey was conducted, mainly to obtain personal
impressions of the experience and the impact on the disabled, adolescents and
the elderly, groups often neglected in such schemes.
A feature
of the MPUCT pilot was a design intended to test the following general
hypothesis, that cash grants have a series of positive effects but that the
presence of a Voice mechanism in the community would make some effects more
pronounced. Accordingly, half the villages selected for cash grants had SEWA
already established in them, half did not; and the control villages were also
split into half having SEWA, half not.
The series of evaluation surveys were complemented by some detailed case
studies. And a Community Survey was conducted in the villages at the beginning
and end of the experiment.
The other two pilots were smaller-scale. A sample of 450 low-income households
in western Delhi were offered the alternative options of either continuing to
receive subsidised food and kerosene in the ration shops or switch to receiving
cash grants equivalent to the monetary value of those rations.
The third pilot was in a tribal village in Madhya Pradesh. In this case, for 12
months, every man, woman and child received a cash benefit of 300 Rupees, if an
adult, and 150 if a child. For comparisons, a similar tribal village was chosen
as a control group. As in the larger pilot in Madhya Pradesh, a baseline census
was followed by an Interim Evaluation Survey and a Final Evaluation Survey.
The main objective of the evaluations was to determine the effects on such
crucial developments as living conditions, including sanitation, health,
nutrition, schooling, work, labour and production, consumption, savings and
debt, womenÕs status and decision-making roles, and the effects for socially
disadvantaged groups, including scheduled castes and the disabled.
The project has been coordinated by SEWA, the Self-Employed WomenÕs Association
of India, working in collaboration with Professor Guy Standing, of the School
of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, and with others who have
made important contributions. The pilots have been funded mostly by UNICEF, New
Delhi, which has seen it as a research project that could advance the debate on
cash transfers in India and elsewhere.
The Conference will be open to the media. A variety of proponents and opponents
of Òcash transfersÓ are being invited, and there will be special sessions on
all the crucial subject areas, such as nutrition, health, schooling and
economic production.
An Op-Ed piece on the study by Guy Standing appeared in the Hindu newspaper. It
is online at:
http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/sewa-model-shows-cash-transfers-work/article4262718.ece
A short video of initial results can be seen on the following: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtYtwiG-uAM&feature=youtu.be
Further details could be
obtained from SEWA (Renana Jhabvala or Sarath Davala) or Professor Guy Standing
(guystanding@standingnet.com). Provisional findings could also
be provided, if interested.
[Robin Ketelaars – Vereniging Basisinkomen (the
Netherlands) – April 2013]
At the start of this year the European Union (EU) registered the European
CitizensÕ Initiative for an Unconditional Basic Income. Fifteen EU member
states are participating in this initiative. Before January 14th 2014 one
million statements of support have to be collected for the initiative to pass.
When the organizers of the citizensÕ initiative reach this number, the European
Commission will have to examine the initiative and arrange a public hearing for
the Unconditional Basic Income by the European Parliament.
The initiative can be found at http://basicincome2013.eu and can only be signed
by citizens of the European Union.
A YouTube Video explaining the initiative is online at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqXXO0GGNRI
[BIN-Italia – April 2013]
On the 15th of April, 2013 more than 50,000 signatures gathered for the
campaign to propose a popular initiative bill on guaranteed minimum income in
Italy were delivered to the lower house of the Italian Parliament. A delegation
of the 170 associations involved in the campaign met the newly elected
President of the lower house, Laura Boldrini.
Before meeting the President of the lower house, the delegation met also some
MPs of Partito Democratico (Democratic Party), SEL – Sinistra Ecologia
Libertˆ (Left Ecology Freedom) and Movimento 5 Stelle (5 Star Movement) who
came out of the Parliament to express their willingness to bring the discussion
on a guaranteed minimum income into the lower house. In front of journalists
and media photographers they grabbed the boxes containing the signatures as a
symbolic gesture and declared to be in favour of a bill on guaranteed minimum
income.
A few days before delivering the signatures, the associations involved in the
campaign launched a call to the new elected MPs for approval of the guaranteed
minimum income bill. The call highlighted the increasingly alarming conditions
of precarious workers and unemployed in Italy and demanded that MPs who during
the electoral campaign put on their agenda measures addressing citizensÕ
economic conditions to take a stance on this issue, back this proposal, and
support the necessity of introducing a right to guaranteed income.
An article (in Italian) by the Italian journalist Roberto Ciccarelli about the
delivery of the petition is online at: http://www.bin-italia.org/informa.php?ID_NEWS=485
The call to elect new MPs, entitled '#Just Approve it! More than 50,000 people
have already done it!', is on line (in Italian) at: http://www.bin-italia.org/informa.php?ID_NEWS=470
For more information go to the Basic Income Italia website: http://www.bin-italia.org/
[by Sabrina Del Pico – March 2013]
In January 2013, a few weeks before general elections, Beppe Grillo, the
colourful leader of Movimento 5 Stelle - M5S (5 Star Movement) declared: ÒThe
first thing we will do, after entering the Parliament, is to introduce a
citizen's income for those who lost their jobs or do not have a jobÓ. During
the campaign for the national Parliament M5S presented its agenda including 20
points, the second of which was what Beppe Grillo improperly called a citizen's
income.
That term is usually used synonymously with the term basic income for an
unconditional income given to all without any means test or work requirement.
Grillo instead used it essentially as a new name for unemployment insurance
conditional on readiness to accept a job if one becomes available. Grillo
himself said in a recent interview (in Italian), "the employment offices
will offer people one, two, three jobs. If they don't accept those jobs they
will lose the benefit." He did not even clarify whether the job offer must
be appropriate for the individualÕs skills.
M5S won an astonishing victory. It emerged as Italy's biggest single party in
the lower chamber with 8.7 million over, nearly a quarter of all votes cast.
Its leader did not eat his words pronounced during the electoral campaign and
went on talking about the introduction of a what he calls citizen's income as
one of the most important actions to be taken.
If on the one hand, it is unprecedented that Italian mainstream politicians put
on their agenda measures addressing citizens' economic conditions; on the other
hand it added confusion to political language and therefore also to concepts and
outcomes. See the link below for an article misunderstanding GrilloÕs use of
the term citizens income. M5S' proposal considers a measure that provides
unemployed with Û1000 a month for 3 years. It is a quite vague proposal as
regards the implementation process but as one point: the measure is entirely
conditional to availability for work or some kind of commitment to a
reintegration trajectory. It is clear, therefore, that what they call a
citizen's income is actually a kind of unemployment benefit, either
contributory or non-contributory. This is not a mere linguistic issue. It
actually hides – or reveals, according to the standpoint – an
inadequate and shallow knowledge of welfare state policies by mainstream
politics, which implies the risk to implement a workfare measure passed off as
a basic income.
Nevertheless, this proposal opened a lively debate in the mainstream politics
about the necessity to provide citizens facing economic problems with some kind
of income support. Nearly all Italian political parties are now aware that the
issue of introducing an income support scheme is an inescapable fact.
As a matter of fact, in July 2012, BIN Italia, along with many associations and
grassroots organisations, already launched a campaign to propose a popular
initiative bill on guaranteed minimum income in Italy. The campaign, which
ended in December 2012, was a great success. It reached its target to collect
50,000 signatures, and therefore the popular initiative bill on guaranteed
minimum income may not only represent an important contribution to the current
debate but it may also help determine implementation and practical aspects of
welfare reform in Italy.
RELATED LINKS:
The website, truthout.org, published a long article (in English) on M5SÕs
policy entirely under the misapprehension that M5S had endorsemed basic income:
Ellen Brown, ÒQE for the People: Comedian Beppe Grillo's Populist Plan for
Italy,Ó Truthout, Thursday, 07 March 2013:
http://truth-out.org/news/item/14953-qe-for-the-people-comedian-beppe-grillos-populist-plan-for-italy
An article (in Italian) by Roberto Ciccarelli appears in Il Manifesto briefly
explaining the difference between a basic income and the unemployment benefit
particularly in the light of the latest statements made by main mainstream
politicians. He clarifies the positions of Bersani (Democratic Party), Vendola
(SEL Sinistra Ecologia Libertˆ - Left Ecology Freedom), and Grillo (M5S) as
well as those of some grassroots organizations such as BIN Italia and San
Precario. Ciccarelli is one of the few in the mainstream media to highlight the
haziness of Grillo's proposal:
http://www.ilmanifesto.it/area-abbonati/ricerca/nocache/1/manip2n1/20130302/manip2pg/06/manip2pz/336754/manip2r1/ciccarelli/
[USBIG – April 2013]
The Latin American Parliament [Parlamento Latino Americano], approved a ÒDraft
Basic Income Framework LawÓ at its meeting on November 30th, 2012 in Panama
City. The Latin American Parliament is transnational party similar to the
European Parliament. The draft law was presented as a model for all the
parliaments of all 23 nations of Latin America and the Caribbean.
For more on the draft law see Eduardo SuplicyÕs recent commentary: http://www.usbig.net/papers/Palestra%20USBIG2013_English.doc
[Vivan
Storlund - Suomen Perustuloverkosto (BIEN Finland) - February 2013]
On 1 February 2013 a campaign for an unconditional basic income was
launched in Finland. This was a historic moment, as the possibility to present
citizenÕs initiatives is as new in Finland as the one in the European Union.
There is one difference between the EU and Finnish citizensÕ initiative. The EU
citizensÕ initiative is addressed to the Commission, whereas in Finland, it is
the Parliament that will decide on the initiatives. So now the initiative has
the opportunity to test Finnish citizens' democratic muscle. 50,000 signatures
are required from a population of close to 5.5 million. The result of the first
day was more than 3,100 electronic signatures and some 100 signatures on paper
forms.
These are the central points in the Finnish initiative:
- A basic income should be
introduced to an amount covering at least the present basic social security
entitlements and it should be designed in such a way that it does not reduce
the income or entitlements of low-income earners.
- The basic income should be seen as a citizenÕs right to an income free of
means testing.
- It would secure means necessary for a life of dignity as required both by the
Finnish Constitution and international human rights conventions.
- It would secure a comprehensive income to all and in all situations, avoiding
thereby that groups of people would be excluded from the social security
systems. This is a requirement that has also been expressed by the ParliamentÕs
Constitutional Law Committee during the reform of the basic rights and
liberties provisions embedded in the present constitution.
- It should be unconditional, paid automatically to all persons independently
of other incomes or choices in life.
The initiative stresses the need for a basic income because of the structural
uncertainties in the labour market, caused by the increase in short-term or
part-time work as well as different forms of self-employment. In addition,
there are increasing problems in combining different social security benefits
based on need with other kinds of entitlements, income from work and
entrepreneurship. Paid employment and the current social security do not offer
sufficient continuity in income. Through a basic income, a more egalitarian and
just welfare state can be created. On these grounds Finnish citizens demand
that their MPs start preparing legislation for the introduction of a basic
income.
As of February 2013, the initiative has 7,500 signatures.
The initiative at the campaign website: http://perustulo.org/kansalaisaloite-perustulosta/aloiteteksti/#en
According to AllAfrica.com, Uhuru Dempers, a supporter of
the Basic Income Grant (BIG) pilot project in Otjivero, Namibia said that the
BIG Coalition of Namibia is unlikely to be able to continue the project any
longer. The coalition maintained a BIG in this small town for nearly two years
and had hoped to keep it going until the government took it over or introduced
BIG nationwide. The coalition doesnÕt have enough donors to do that, but
Dempers said that the prospects for BIG are likely to increase after the next
election.
For more on this issue, see ÒNamibia: Big Idea Needs Some TweakingÓ by Magreth
Nunuhe, 27 February 2013, New Era,
at: http://allafrica.com/stories/201302270751.html
The state of Alaska has given the big oil companies
something theyÕve spent the last several years lobbying for—an enormous tax
cut. Oil companies have argued that they must have lower taxes to make it
worthwhile to keep investing in the state, and they have have supported their
arguments with generous campaign contributions. Opponents of tax breaks for oil
companies have argued that there are better ways to incentivize the oil
companies to invest more and that at the very least any tax breaks should be
tied to increased investment.
Oil company arguments have won the day. According to the New York Times, the legislature passed and the governor signed
a law that will reduce taxes by an estimated $750 million per year from now on.
The tax cut comes with no responsibility on the part of the oil companies to
actually increase their investment in Alaska.
AlaskaÕs basic income—the Permanent Fund Dividend—is not directly
affected by the oil tax cuts because the Alaska Permanent Fund, which finances
the dividend, is directly financed by a dedicated portion of the stateÕs oil
revenue, and that portion is unaffected by the cuts.
However, anything that puts greater financial pressure on the state, puts
indirect financial pressure on the fund and dividend. Historically the state
has occasionally used budget surpluses to add to the fund or the dividend. And
if and when oil revenue becomes insufficient to fund state expenditure, the
legislature will come under enormous financial pressure to redirect the returns
of the fund from the dividend to the stateÕs operating budget. In fact one
recent editorial has called for the state to do just that (see link below).
In response to the tax cut for the oil companies, Democrats in the state
legislature, most of whom opposed the tax cut for the oil companies, have
proposed a constitutional amended that would constitutionally protect the
dividend in the same way that the state constitution projects the fund. The APF
was created by an amendment specifying that the legislature could not spend the
fundÕs principle, only its yearly returns. The PFD, however, was created by
ordinary legislation, and so the legislature retains the power to cancel the
dividend and redirect the funds to some other use at any time.
If the proposed amendment is passed, it would require another constitutional
amendment to redirect funds from the PFD to the regular state budget. In Alaska,
a constitutional amendment requires a supermajority vote of both houses of the
legislature and a direct vote of the people. The proposal probably has little
chance of passing as a Democratic proposal in a Republican-controlled
government.
For more on these issues, see the following articles:
Clifford Krauss, ÒTo Reinvigorate Production, Alaska Grants a Tax Break to Oil
Companies,Ó The New York Times, April
15, 2013
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/16/business/energy-environment/alaska-grants-a-tax-break-to-oil-companies.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=edit_th_20130416&_r=0&pagewanted=print
Mark Gnadt, ÒAlaska Native News: Democrats Push Permanent Fund Dividend
Protection In Light Of Oil Giveaway,Ó Alaska
Native News, 04/03/2013.
http://alaska-native-news.com/state_news/8193-democrats-push-permanent-fund-dividend-protection-in-light-of-oil-giveaway.html
KTOO News Department, ÒProposal would put PFD calculation in constitution,Ó
KTOO-TV, April 3, 2013 at 6:45 pm
http://www.ktoo.org/2013/04/03/proposal-would-but-pfd-calculation-in-constitution/
The Tolling Bell, ÒThe Time May Be Right To End The Alaska Permanent Fund
Dividend,Ó The Tolling Bell: Economic,
Business, Political, And Higher Education Food For The Mind, May 6, 2013
http://www.professorhollybell.com/2013/05/06/time-alaska-permanent-fund-dividend/
[USBIG – April 2013]
Oregon State Senator Chip Shields submitted a proposal to amend the stateÕs constitution,
to a land tax and dividend. The official summary reads, ÒProposes amendment to
Oregon Constitution to establish land-value lease fee imposed on real market
value of land with proceeds distributed pro rata to residents of state.
Establishes Resident's Dividend Agency to administer collection of fee and distribution
of dividend.Ó The bill was introduced on January 14, 2013, and referred to
committee on Jan 18. No further action has been taken by the state so far.
The text of the amendment is online at: http://landru.leg.state.or.us/13reg/measures/sjr1.dir/sjr0016.intro.html
Sen. Chip Shields can be reached at: Sen.ChipShields@state.or.us
[Aynur Bashirova – BI News – April 2013]
ÒThe BIG MovementÓ is a global grassroots movement that aims to raise awareness
about the Basic Income Guarantee (BIG) through a network of project teams,
public events, and media channels. It has a website and a Facebook page. It is
currently sponsoring a petition and recruiting members. It held a virtual
meeting online on December 30, 2012 in which the following issues were
discussed: Goals of the movement, website structure & functionality, and TeamSpeak
server setup. The meeting decided to focus in on one central goal, ÒTo raise
awareness of Basic Income through a network of project teams, public events,
and media channels.Ó
If youÕre interested in the BIG Movement, it can be found online at these two
places: Webpage: http://www.thebigmovement.org/
Facebook page: http://www.thebigmovement.org/2013/01/02/like-this-facebook-page-the-big-movement
[USBIG – April 2013]
This special issue of Homo Oeconomicus,
edited by Ao Yumin and Ulrich Steinvorth, requests submission of papers
answering questions such as:
á What are the reasons to demand a basic income?
á What would be the consequences of its introduction?
á What are the reasons or motives to reject or distrust it?
á Can, or how far can, basic income counteract unemployment?
á Should it, or how far should it, promote a life independent of salaried jobs?
á What kind of activities should basic income promote or can it be expected to promote?
á What should be the amount of basic income?
á What are alternatives to basic income?
á What can established institutions of basic income tell us about its future and possibilities?
Papers can be written both in an academic and in a more popular style
accessible to a broader public and apt to impact the public opinion. Proposals
are to be sent to aoyumin@gmail.com and ulrich.steinvorth@uni-hamburg.de The deadline for the papers, which must
be preceded by an abstract, are expected for December 1st, 2013.
Homo Oeconomicus, is online at: http://www.homooeconomicus.org/
Some news on how to access full text versions of articles
published by Basic Income Studies (BIS) on the website of our new publisher,
DeGruyter (http://www.degruyter.com/view/j/bis)
Individual users with already existing accounts at the DeGruyter site can use
the token ÒnewusercreditsÓ. This token
can be entered in the window popping up when a user chooses a BIS article and
clicks on ÒGet Access to Full TextÓ.
For new users ... DeGruyter is planning to include the BIS as part of a free
access promotional package of 11 journals. When this promotion is launched, all
BIS articles will be freely accessible for every new user registering (i.e.
creating a new account) on www.degruyter.com.
For technical reasons, current registered users with DeGruyter will have to use
the token as outlined above in order to access full text articles.
LIBRARY ACCESS: If you have access to a library that subscribes to Basic Income
Studies, this of course is another means of accessing the journal. If the library at your institution or
organization does not yet subscribe to BIS, please suggest that they do so!
If you are having access problems to BIS, please contact jim.mulvale@uregina.ca
This special issue, guest-edited by Michael Lewis, features
a debate on whether it would be better for government to guarantee a job or an
income. It features articles by Philip Harvey, Guy Standing, Michael Lewis, Eri
Noguchi, and Pavlina Tcherneva (see more information below).
The debate is online at:
http://www.degruyter.com/view/j/bis.2013.7.issue-2/issue-files/bis.2013.7.issue-2.xml
ÒIntroduction to the Special Issue on the? Right to Work and Basic IncomeÓ
Lewis, Michael A. Page 1-2
Published Online: 12/31/2012
ÒAs I write these
lines, the US economy is about 4 years out of the Great Recession of
2008–2009. Yet, unemployment is estimated to be at a stubbornly high 7.8%
and the poverty rate is around 15%. That is, an estimated 12.2 million
people are currently unemployed and about 46.2 million are living in
poverty. É The two economists whose articles are featured in this special issue
take fundamentally different approaches to these problemsÉÓ
http://www.degruyter.com/view/j/bis.2013.7.issue-2/bis-2013-0011/bis-2013-0011.xml?format=INT
ÒMore for Less: The Job Guarantee StrategyÓ
Harvey, Philip. Page 3
Published Online: 12/31/2012
Abstract: The cost and effectiveness of a basic income guarantee and a job
guarantee (combined with conventional transfer payments) are compared with respect
to their ability to eliminate poverty and unemployment. It is argued that a BI
guarantee provided in the form preferred by most advocates of the idea (a
universal basic income grant or equivalent negative income tax) would be both
more costly and less effective than a job guarantee—if the latter is
properly designed to secure the right to work and income security recognized in
in the Universal Declaration of Human Right. It is further argued that the job
guarantee strategy configured in this way also would do more to promote the
real freedom goals of the basic income advocacy movement.
http://www.degruyter.com/view/j/bis.2013.7.issue-2/bis-2013-0006/bis-2013-0006.xml?format=INT
ÒWhy a Basic Income Is Necessary for a Right to WorkÓ
Standing, Guy. Page 19
Published Online: 12/31/2012
Abstract: This article makes the proposition that a right to work can only
exist if an individual has a prior right to a basic income. It criticizes the
perspective that maximizing the number of jobs is a meaningful way of advancing
the right to work, since activity in subordinated labour is scarcely consistent
with a freedom-enhancing right to work. In recalling the historical right to
practise an occupation, it rejects the notion of a Òjob guaranteeÓ, as neither
feasible nor desirable in a free society or as part of a progressive vision of
a Good Society.
http://www.degruyter.com/view/j/bis.2013.7.issue-2/bis-2013-0007/bis-2013-0007.xml?format=INT
ÒCost, Compensation, Freedom, and the Basic Income – Guaranteed Jobs
DebateÓ
Lewis, Michael A. Page 41
Published Online: 12/31/2012
Abstract: In this volume Harvey argues that guaranteeing people the right to
work would be a better policy approach than guaranteeing people an
unconditional basic income. This is because a guaranteed job would provide many
of the benefits that a basic income would but at far lower cost. I argue that
HarveyÕs analysis of the relative cost differences between guaranteeing one a
job or an income is misleading if not flat out wrong in some places. I also argue
that there is one benefit that BI could promote that his jobs strategy, at
least as presented in the paper in this volume, could not – the right of
an able-bodied person to lead the kind of life they desire even if they desire
not to sell their labor.
http://www.degruyter.com/view/j/bis.2013.7.issue-2/bis-2013-0008/bis-2013-0008.xml?format=INT
ÒThe Cost-Efficiency of a Guaranteed Jobs Program: Really? A Response to
HarveyÓ
Noguchi, Eri. Page 52
Published Online: 12/31/2012
Abstract: Responding to HarveyÕs argument that a Guaranteed Jobs program would
be more cost-efficient than a Guaranteed Income program, this paper points out
several costs related to the latter that are not included in HarveyÕs cost
comparisons, mostly related to the administrative costs of operating a
Guaranteed Jobs Program, which tends to be much more complex and high
maintenance. This paper also points out that the unemployment rate would shift
in response to the program, and that some unnecessary jobs would most likely
need to be created if the program is to guarantee a job for everyone. However,
the paper concludes that the public projects imagined as part of a guaranteed
jobs program have merit on their own grounds, and should not be dismissed.
http://www.degruyter.com/view/j/bis.2013.7.issue-2/bis-2013-0009/bis-2013-0009.xml?format=INT
ÒThe Job Guarantee: Delivering the Benefits That Basic Income Only Promises
– A Response to Guy StandingÓ
Tcherneva, Pavlina R. Page 66
Published Online: 12/31/2012
Abstract: The present article offers three critiques of the universal basic
income guarantee (BIG) proposal discussed by Standing in this volume. First,
there is a fundamental tension between the way income in a monetary production
economy is generated, the manner in which BIG wishes to redistribute it, and
the subsequent negative impact of this redistribution on the process of income
generation itself. The BIG policy is dependent for its existence on the very
system it wishes to undermine. Second, the macroeconomic effects of BIG on contemporary
economies that use modern money are destabilizing. The job guarantee (JG), by
contrast, stabilizes both the macro-economy and the currency while helping
transform the nature of work itself. Finally, the employment safety-net in
StandingÕs piece is not an accurate representation of the modern JG proposals
– a confusion which this paper aims to remedy.
http://www.degruyter.com/view/j/bis.2013.7.issue-2/bis-2013-0010/bis-2013-0010.xml?format=INT
This book
is a collection of essays by several authors assessing the need for and
prospects of basic income in Latin America. It is edited by Ruben Lo Vuolo.
According to the publisher, ÒSocial protection systems in Latin America
developed in a fragmented manner, offering varying access to benefits and
benefit levels to population groups. In the context of widespread informal and
precarious work, social insurance institutions could only provide limited coverage.
In this context, progress toward a Citizen's Income policy in Latin America
depends on the possibility of reappraising its importance for an integrated
institutional system which promotes the empowerment and economic independence
of people. A Citizen's Income policy is not only a cash transfer to alleviate
poverty or a basic income for food. It is a basic right to improve democracy
and encourage a more autonomous development of people living in profoundly
unequal societies.Ó
RubŽn M. Lo Vuolo is academic director and researcher at the Interdisciplinary
Center for the Study of Public Policy (Centro Interdisciplinario para el
Estudio de Pol’ticas Pœblicas, Ciepp), Buenos Aires Argentina.
This book is part of Palgrave-MacmillanÕs series ÒExploring the Basic
Income Guarantee.Ó
Lo Vuolo, RubŽn.
CitizenÕs Income and Welfare Regimes in
Latin America: From Cash Transfers to Rights. Palgrave Macmillan, January
2013. ISBN: 978-0-230-33821-0, ISBN10: 0-230-33821-6, 5.500 x 8.500 inches, 286
pages. $100.
PublisherÕs
book page: http://us.macmillan.com/citizensincomeandwelfareregimesinlatinamerica/Rub%C3%A9nLoVuolo
PublisherÕs series page: http://us.macmillan.com/series/ExploringtheBasicIncomeGuarantee
Allan
SheahenÕs book, Basic Income Guarantee:
Your Right to Economic Security, released by Palgrave Macmillan in July of
2012 is now out on paperback for $28.00, less than a third the cost of the
hardcover ($100.00). This book is both an introduction to the basic income
guarantee and a series of arguments for it. This is the first book in Palgrave
MacmillanÕs series (Exploring the Basic Income Guarantee) to be released on
paperback.
According to the publisher, ÒA Basic Income Guarantee (BIG) is the
unconditional government-ensured guarantee that all citizens will have enough
income to meet their basic needs without a work requirement. Significant
questions include: Why should we adopt a BIG? Can the U.S. afford it? Why donÕt
the current welfare programs work? Why not guarantee everyone a job? Would
anyone work if his or her income were guaranteed? Has a BIG ever been tested?
This book answers these questions and many more in simple, easy-to-understand
language.Ó The publisher also quotes U.S. Senator George McGovern, writing,
ÒThis book is a great idea – brilliantly stated. Some may think itÕs
ultra-liberal, as they did when I proposed a similar idea in 1972. I see it as
true conservatism – the right of income for all Americans sufficient for
food, shelter, and basic necessities. Or, what Jefferson referred to as life,
liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.Ó
Sheahen, Allan, Basic Income Guarantee: Your Right to Economic Security,
Palgrave Macmillan, May 2013. ISBN: 978-1-137-34788-6, ISBN10: 1-137-34788-0, 5.500
x 8.500 inches, 220 pages. $28.00.
PublisherÕs book page:
http://us.macmillan.com/basicincomeguarantee/AllanSheahen
PublisherÕs series page:
http://us.macmillan.com/series/ExploringtheBasicIncomeGuarantee
According to the publisher, ÒFreedom is commonly understood
in two different ways: the absence of restriction or interference (scalar
freedom) and the absence of slavery or oppression (status freedom). Independence, Propertylessness, and Basic
Income argues that philosophers have focused too much on scalar freedom and
proposes a theory of status freedom as effective control
self-ownership—simply, freedom as the power to say no. This exciting new
volume argues for and explores the implications of this theory of freedom. It
shows that most societies today put the poor in situations in which they lack
this crucial freedom, making them vulnerable to poverty, exploitation, and
injustice. Widerquist argues that the basic income guarantee is an appropriate
institution to help secure status freedom in a modern industrial society.Ó
Karl Widerquist is an associate professor in Political Philosophy at the
Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar. This book is the
first of two planned books examining a theory of justice he called Òjustice as
the pursuit of accord.Ó
This book is part of Palgrave-MacmillanÕs series ÒExploring the Basic Income
Guarantee.Ó
Widerquist, Karl, Independence,
Propertylessness, and Basic Income: A Theory of Freedom as the Power to Say No,
Palgrave Macmillan, March 2013
ISBN: 978-1-137-27472-4, ISBN10: 1-137-27472-7, 5.500 x
8.500 inches, 256 pages, $100.
PublisherÕs book page:
http://us.macmillan.com/independencepropertylessnessandbasicincome/KarlWiderquist
PublisherÕs series page:
http://us.macmillan.com/series/ExploringtheBasicIncomeGuarantee
A Kindle Edition is available on Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Independence-Propertylessness-Basic-Income-Exploring/dp/1137274727/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1369254360&sr=8-5&keywords=Widerquist
[BIEN – May 2013]
This book, released in 2011, is now available for free download as PDF. The
hard copy is still available for Û29.90. Philippe Van Parijs is one of the
leading philosophers writing about basic income today. Many of the chapters in
this book respond to his ideas about basic income. According to the publisher,
ÒThis book brings together fifty of today's finest thinkers. They were asked to
let their imaginations run free to advance new ideas on a wide range of social
and political issues. They did so as friends, on the occasion of Philippe Van
Parijs's sixtieth birthday. Rather than restricting themselves to comments on
his numerous writings, the authors engage with the topics on which he has
focused his attention over the years, especially with the various dimensions of
justice, its scope, and its demands. They discuss issues ranging from the fair
distribution of marriage opportunities to the limits of argumentation in a
democracy, the deep roots of inequality, the challenges to basic income and the
requirements of linguistic justice. They provide ample food for thought for
both academic and general readers.Ó
According to Noble Laureate, Amartya Sen, "A book of quick and sharp
thoughts on a grand theme is a novel way of paying tribute to a leading
philosopher. But it has worked beautifully here, both as a stimulating book of
ideas on justice, and as a fitting recognition of the intellectual
contributions of Philippe Van Parijs, who is one of the most original and most
creative thinkers of our time. "
Gosseries, Axel and Yannick Vanderborght, (editrs) Arguing about justice: Essays for Philippe Van Parijs.
Louvain-la-Neuve: UCL Presses, 2011
For a link to the PDF go to: http://permalink.gmane.org/gmane.science.philosophy.region.europe/4125?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
For more info about the book, in hardcopy and PDF, go to: http://www.i6doc.com/fr/livre/?GCOI=28001100609230
[USBIG – May 2013]
Mike Alberti and Kevin C. Brown recently published two in-depth articles on the
history of the guaranteed income movement in the United States. The first
discusses the moment in the late 1960s and early 1970s that the guaranteed
income was a widely-discussed policy proposal in the United States. During that
period the U.S. conducted four pilot projects studying a guaranteed income and
a (water-down) proposal to introduce a national guaranteed income passed the
House of Representatives by a wide margin, only to fail narrowly in the Senate.
The second article discusses the change in values that caused the guaranteed
income to fall out of mainstream politics in the United States in the 1980s.
Remapping Debate is a news website with offices located in the Flatiron
District of New York City. It is committed to original reporting. Sponsored by
the Anti-Discrimination Center, Remapping
Debate covers the full spectrum of domestic public policy issues.
Mike Alberti has worked for Remapping
Debate since its launch, and is now its chief correspondent. Mike graduated with a B.A. in English
from Vassar College in 2009. Email: ma@remappingdebate.org
Kevin C. Brown is a staff reporter at Remapping
Debate. He holds a Ph.D. in U.S. history from Carnegie Mellon University.
Kevin is also the creator and host of Remapping DebateÕs ÒHistory for the
FutureÓ interview series, which he started in 2010 at WRCT-Pittsburgh. Email:
kb@remappingdebate.org
FIRST ARTICLE: Alberti, Mike and Kevin C. Brown, ÒGuaranteed incomeÕs moment in
the sun,Ó Remapping Debate, April 24,
2013
http://www.remappingdebate.org/article/guaranteed-income%E2%80%99s-moment-sun
SECOND ARTICLE: Alberti, Mike and Kevin C. Brown, ÒLoss of support for
guaranteed income reflects radical shift in values,Ó Remapping Debate, April 24, 2013
http://www.remappingdebate.org/article/loss-support-guaranteed-income-reflects-radical-shift-values
[USBIG – May 2013]
The CitizenÕs Income Trust (CIT) is the UK affiliate of BIEN. This issue of the
CITÕs newsletter, the CitizenÕs Income
Newsletter contains news, book reviews, an editorial, an opinion piece, an
in-depth article on cash transfers and basic income in India.
The CitizenÕs Income Trust, CitizenÕs
Income Newsletter, 2013, issue 2: www.citizensincome.org
For more information, email: info@citizensincome.org
[USBIG
– May 2013]
This editorial argues that recent proposed changes in BritainÕs tax and benefit
system would have a more stimulative and beneficial effect on BritainÕs economy
if they were reformulated as a Citizens (or basic) Income.
The CitizenÕs Income Trust, ÒEditorial: The 2013 budget,Ó 2013, issue 2: www.citizensincome.org
[USBIG
– May 2013]
This
article discusses the problem of poverty in Indian and argues that recent basic
income pilot projects conducted in India show how the country would benefit
from moving toward a basic income system. The author is Professor of
Development at SOAS (University of London) and honorary co-president of BIEN.
Guy Standing, ÒCan Basic Income Cash Transfers Transform India?Ó 2013, issue 2:
www.citizensincome.org
SOAS, a publication of the University of London, published
an article on May 10, 3013 on the Indian basic income pilot project including
quotes from an interview with Guy Standing, one of the organizers of the
project.
SOAS, ÒUnique pilot schemes assess
impact of basic income schemes on IndiaÕs rural poor,Ó 10 May 2013
http://www.soas.ac.uk/news/newsitem84314.html
Rigmar Osterkamp, a long-time critic of the Namibian Basic
Income Pilot project has recently published a new piece on DandC.edu. In the piece he calls the project a Òfailure.Ó
Rigmar Osterkamp, ÒPoverty reduction Lessons from failureÓ D+C (DandC.eu), May 5, 2013:
http://www.dandc.eu/en/article/disappointing-basic-income-grant-project-namibia
[Wolfgang MŸller – BI News]
As many other countries, South Africa struggles to provide effective social
assistance policies in tackling poverty and inequality. Any proposed reform has
been determined by ideology according to Leon Schreiber in an article on Politicsweb,
February 26, 2013. They still ignore social reality, that many people are not
able to find employment. This dominance of ideology also affected the public
discourse about a proposal for a Basic Income Grant (BIG) by the Taylor
Committee on Comprehensive Social Security for South Africa. Despite of
positive examples such as Alaska or the Basic Income Grant Coalition in
Namibia, the BIG has faded. In order to overcome this ideological driven
discourse in South Africa and alleviate poverty and inequality, Schreiber urges
to simply relay on the Constitution, which grants everyone the right to social
security and social assistance.
Schreiber, Leon ÒTime to think BIG again?Ó Politicsweb, February 26,
2013
http://www.politicsweb.co.za/politicsweb/view/politicsweb/en/page71619?oid=360521&sn=Detail&pid=71619
[Wolfgang MŸller – BI News]
This article by Noah Smith, published in The
Atlantic, January 13, 2013, discusses the hypothetical proceeding fall of
labor income along with its consequences and possible solutions. He argues that
the two-thirds/one-thirds division of labor and capital income of most rich
nations has changed in a disadvantage to labor income. This is a result of
mainly two reasons: First, China's low wage labor force entered into the global
trading system, and second, more persuasive, technology replaces humans in more
and more areas. This development requires new creative measurements since
current social security systems are not build to deal with this challenge. As
an alternative, Smith suggests stakeholder grants Òwith some fairly light
paternalismÓ, which he calls Òportfolio of capital ownershipÓ. Not exactly
basic income, but a step in that direction.
Smith, Noah, ÒThe End of Labor: How to Protect Workers From the Rise of
Robots,Ó The Atlantic, January 13,
2013L http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2013/01/the-end-of-labor-how-to-protect-workers-from-the-rise-of-the-robots/267135/
This opinion piece supports a basic income grant in South
Africa.
Devenish, GE ÒThe grant has key role,Ó BusinessDay
(South Africa) 08.03.2013
http://www.bdlive.co.za/opinion/letters/2013/03/08/letter-the-grant-has-key-role
This op-ed piece argues that the political climate in Scotland has recently opened up to big ideas such as basic income.
McAlpine, Robin ÒA new enlightened political debate?Ó The Scotsman, 05.03.2013
http://www.scotsman.com/news/robin-mcalpine-a-new-enlightened-political-debate-1-2821758
This classic article of the Social Credit movement is now
online. Social Credit is a monetary reform movement that includes a basic
income guarantee under the name of a Ònational dividend.Ó
Monahan, Bryan W. 1967. ÒIntroduction To Social Credit: Second Revised And
Enlarged Edition,Ó London: K.R.P. Publications Ltd.
This article is online at:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/112942854/Introduction-to-Social-Credit-by-Dr-Bryan-W-Monahan
A very early article from the Social Credit movement is now
online. Social Credit is a monetary reform movement that includes a basic
income guarantee under the name of a Ònational dividend.Ó
Gordon-Cumming, M. 1935. ÒMoney in Industry.Ó London: the C. W. Daniel Company
This article is online at: http://www.scribd.com/doc/114593844/Money-in-Industry
This op-ed piece calls for basic income as a new approach to
poverty and an alternative to austerity. It is written by Senator Hugh Segal of
the Conservative Party (Canada).
Segal, Hugh, ÒWhy Guaranteeing the Poor an Income Will Save Us All In the End,Ó
The Blog, Business Canada, The Huffington
Post, April 8, 2013
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/hugh-segal/guaranteed-annual-income_b_3037347.html
OurKingdom: Power & Liberty in Britain, ÒDemocratic Wealth,Ó 15 May 2013
This piece discusses BIG from a republican perspective—that
is from the two-millennia old political movement with roots in the writings of
Cicero, Livy, Machiavelli, and Rousseau and with little or nothing to do with
the so-called ÒRepublicanÓ party in the United States. According to the
authors, ÒRepublicanism offers a persuasive guide to the political shaping of
markets. A basic income could be the foundation of a democratic republican
economy that frees all citizens from the commodification of labour.Ó
The piece is a part of a series called ÒDemocratic WealthÓ (http://www.opendemocracy.net/ourkingdom/collections/democratic-wealth-building-citizens-economy),
which is edited by Stuart White and which has included other pieces on basic
income, including ÒThe Alaska Model: a citizen's income in practiceÓ (http://www.opendemocracy.net/ourkingdom/karl-widerquist/alaska-model-citizens-income-in-practice).
Julie Wark is the author of Manifiesto de derechos humanos (The Human Rights Manifesto, 2011).
Daniel Raventos is the author of Basic
Income: The Material Conditions of Freedom. Both are involved with the
international political review Sin
Permiso.
Raventos, Daniel and Julie Wark, ÒA republican call for a basic incomeÓ
OurKingdom: Power & Liberty in
Britain, ÒDemocratic Wealth,Ó 15 May 2013
http://www.opendemocracy.net/ourkingdom/daniel-raventos-julie-wark/republican-call-for-basic-income
This op-ed piece in the Washington Post
has inspired a buzz in the blogosphere. The author goes over some of the common
arguments for and against basic income, showing how it has aspects that attract
to (and sometimes repel) both left and right. The author, Mike Konczal, is a
fellow at the Roosevelt Institute, where he focuses on financial regulation,
inequality and unemployment. He writes a weekly column for Wonkblog.
Konczal, Mike ÒThinking Utopian: How about a universal basic income?Ó The Washington Post, Wonkblog page, May
11, 2013
Pieces responding to KonczalÕs include:
Weisenthal, Joe, ÒThere's A Way To Give Everyone In America An Income That
Conservatives And Liberals Can Both LoveÓ
Business Insider May 13, 2013
This short op-ed piece describes BIG as Òan idea for stimulating the economy:
Free money for everyone, all the time, with no exceptions or conditions.Ó
Bruenig, Matt, ÒIs a Universal Basic Income Really Utopian?Ó
Policy Shop Blog / Demos, May 13,
2013
Matt Bruenig he describes BIG as a Ôsadly-neglected policy
ideaÓ and calls Mike KonczalÕs op-ed Òa wonderful piece,Ó but he takes issue
with KonczalÕs description of BIG as Òutopian.Ó
RiseUpEconomics, ÒThat Vision Thing: our need to search for UtopiaÓ
Daily Kos, May 13,
2013
This piece does not take issue with the term utopian. Instead it calls for the
need for more utopian thinking. It calls on people to imagine utopian things
such as the transformation of work where more worker-owned businesses are
possible and where banks donÕt get bailed out.
The Daily Bell, ÒUniversal Basic Income Promotion Hits Washington Post, May 13,
2013
This piece responds to the Washington Post article and connects it to Beppe
GrilloÕs misleadingly named citizenÕs income proposal.
Mike KonczalÕs piece is online at:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/05/11/thinking-utopian-how-about-a-universal-basic-income/
Joe WeisenthalÕs piece is online at: http://www.businessinsider.com/universal-basic-income-2013-5#ixzz2TUIyu5DT; and it is cross-posted online at: http://www.demos.org/blog/universal-basic-income-really-utopian
RiseUpEconomicsÕs piece is online at:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/05/13/1208812/-That-Vision-Thing-our-need-to-search-for-Utopia
The Daily Bell piece is online at:
http://www.thedailybell.com/29093/Universal-Basic-Income-Promotion-Hits-the-Washington-Post
Aynur Bashirova – BI News – 2013.
Yglesias, Matthew. (2013). ÒPrint Money. Mail Everybody a Check.Ó Slate, April
1, 2013.
Matthew Yglesias, in an article published in Slate, argues that old and
traditional methods of stimulating the economy in the United States is not
effective and are subject to criticism from citizens because the they are so
complex that citizens do not understand them; instead, he writes, the
government needs to adopt a simpler method of printing money and sending checks
to citizens. If people had more money, they would be buying more things.
Increasing the size of savings would reduce the borrowing costs of firms and
this will push up the value of stocks and other financial assets. All of these,
in turn, would speed up the economic activity.
Ygesias accepts that there is one downsize to this approach, which is the risk
of inflation due to printing too much money. However, the central bank has
promised it is temporarily capable of tolerating 2.5% of inflation, until
unemployment falls below 6.5%. Currently, inflation is just below 2%, which
means that there is a room to implement YglesiasÕ plan, which should help the
US get out of the crisis.
Online at:
http://www.slate.com/articles/business/moneybox/2013/04/helicopter_money_federal_reserve_should_print_money_and_give_it_directly.html
Aynur Bashirova – Bi News – May 2013.
Westrick, Brian. (2013). ÒBasic Income Guarantee Solution for Social Welfare.Ó The North Wind, Thursday, Apr 11 2013
Brian Westrick, in his article published in the North Wind, argues that the
social safety nets in the US are inefficient and can be replaced by a more
efficient system of the Basic Income Guarantee (BIG), which will supersede the
desperation to find work with desire to work. According to Wesrick, BIG would
give people the incentive to work with the principle of the more you work, the
more you get and eradicate extreme poverty by making sure that no one stays
without income. The author concludes that BIG is not perfect, but comparing its
benefits to unemployment benefits, it makes more sense overall.
Online at: http://www.thenorthwindonline.com/?p=3867309.
[USBIG – April 2013]
Lewis, Jack, "South Africa Should Learn From Brazil's Bolsa Familia,"
AllAfrica.com, 3 April 2013
This article argues that BrazilÕs experience with the Bolsa Familia gives
evidence that Namibia should adopt something similar or even a full basic
income grant.
Online at: http://allafrica.com/stories/201304040319.html
Beernaert, Lauranne, ÒBasic Income – A Solution for
Austerity?Ó Utblick, March 30, 2013
This article begins, ÒWhile austerity plans become more and more popular in
Europe and poverty is on the rise on the continent, a citizensÕ initiative in
favor of a basic income is also flourishing. Indeed, tired of a welfare system,
which does not meet their expectations, some citizens and scholars are strongly
convinced that a basic income might represent an alternativeÉÓ
ItÕs online at: http://www.utblick.org/2013/03/30/basic-income-a-solution-for-austerity/
[USBIG – April 2013]
This editorial argues for a wholesale reformation of New ZealandÕs social
welfare system introducting a basic income.
Morgan, Gareth and Susan Guthrie, Òthe Benefits System Needs to Evolve,Ó Garethsword.com, February 19, 2013
Online at: http://garethsworld.com/blog/tax-and-welfare/benefits-system-needs-to-evolve/
[USBIG – April 2013]
Ailsa McKay, ÒCitizensÕ financial rights,Ó the
Scotsman, February, 2013
This editorial argues that a Citizens Income (basic income)
would be an affordable and effective way for Scotland to reform its welfare
system.
Ailsa McKay is Professor of Economics at the Glasgow School for Business and
Society in Glasgow Caledonian University.
http://www.scotsman.com/the-scotsman/opinion/comment/ailsa-mckay-citizens-financial-rights-1-2799922#.USSiaQ85niY.twitter
Guaranteed (Basic) Income has been featured in an article in the prominent
Canadian newsmagazine Maclean's.
According to the author, ÒFresh analysis of an old program shows that a
guaranteed annual income kickstarts health.Ó
MacQueen, Ken ÒIs it time to chuck welfare?Ó MacLeanÕs, Friday, April 19, 2013
http://www2.macleans.ca/2013/04/19/time-to-chuck-welfare/
Bidadanure, Juliana, ÒRediscovering The Utopian In Europe:
An Interview With Philippe Van Parijs,Ó Global: The Global Journal. March 26,
2013
According to the author, Philippe Van Parijs is a central figure in the worlds
of philosophy and politics alike. Described by Amartya Sen as Ôone of the most
original and creative thinkers of our time,Õ he is famous for his defense of a
Universal Basic Income – an unconditional monthly grant allocated to all
– as the best expression of social justice and freedom. Building on the
thought-provoking exchange between Francis Fukuyama and JŸrgen Habermas
published in May, this special extended interview challenges us to imagine a
fairer future for the European project.Ó
http://theglobaljournal.net/article/view/1038/
Published back in April of 2007, this article begins with Òsuper-capitalistÓ
Warren BuffettÕs Òtrenchant understatement: ÔA market system has not worked
well in terms of poor people.ÕÓ It argues from there for the necessity of an
international basic income guarantee.
The author, Stephen J. Fortunato, was a trial judge on the Rhode Island
Superior Court for thirteen years after serving as a civil rights lawyer for
more than two decades. He has been
a Zen practitioner for at least forty years. His essays and reviews have
appeared in the Georgetown Journal of Legal Ethics, the Howard Law Journal, In
These Times, and other publications.
Stephen Fortunato, ÒThe Imperative of an International Guaranteed Income.Ó The Monthly Review Volume 58, Issue 11
(April 2007)
The article is online at: http://monthlyreview.org/2007/04/01/the-imperative-of-an-international-guaranteed-income
This article exposes what the author sees as the widely held
misconception that the creation of jobs is the motivating objective behind most
U.S. economic policy. It argues that we need to shift from the focus on job
creation to the focus on meeting peopleÕs needs through a basic income guarantee.
The article concludes, Òthe prevailing ludicrous insistence that people obtain
jobs that do not exist — or which are being phased out into oblivion
— is a cruel fabrication that will result in nothing but the continued
dystopian consequences of poverty, marginalization, and oppression.Ó
The Author, Stephen Fortunato was a trial judge on the Rhode Island Superior
Court for thirteen years after serving as a civil rights lawyer for more than
two decades. He has been a Zen
practitioner for at least forty years.
Stephen Fortunato, ÒThe Fraud of Jobs,Ó Buddhist
Peace Fellowship. February 25, 2013
http://www.buddhistpeacefellowship.org/job-creationism/
[BIEN – April 2013]
This opinion piece in one of BritainÕs leading newspapers, begins, ÒMost of the
world's people are decent, honest and kind. Most of those who dominate us are
inveterate bastards. It decries most recent British policy toward the poor as punitive,
Òbrutal,Ó and Òantisocial.Ó Looking for new solutions it considers both a land
tax and basic income. According to Monboit, basic income Òbanishes the fear and
insecurity now stalking the poorer half of the population. Economic survival
becomes a right, not a privilege. É The poor are not forced by desperation into
the arms of unscrupulous employers: people will work if conditions are good and
pay fair, but will refuse to be treated like mules. It redresses the wild
imbalance in bargaining power that the current system exacerbates. It could do
more than any other measure to dislodge the emotional legacy of serfdom.Ó
Monbiot, George. ÒCommunism, welfare state – what's the next big idea?Ó The Guardian, Monday 1 April 2013
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/apr/01/alternative-to-war-on-britains-poor
[Sabrina
Del Pico – March 2013]
This article argues that a universal livable income represents a wise
investment for the future rather than an unsustainable cost. Using a metaphor
about roof construction, the author compares and contrasts the long-term
benefits of a universal income with the detriments to society at large caused
by failing to introduce such a measure. The author, in fact, highlights how
society would benefit from it both at socio-economic and health level.
C.A., L'Hirondelle, ÒThe High Costs of a Leaky Roof SocietyÓ Livable 4 All,
February 26th, 2013
http://www.livableincome.org/agliroof.htm
[USBIG – May 2013]
An event, at the London School of Economics on Thursday 27th June at
6 pm, will launch the publication of the book, Money for Everyone: Why we need a CitizenÕs Income, by Malcolm
Torry, and published by the Policy Press. According to the publisher:
ÒDue to government cuts, the benefits system is currently a hot topic. In this
timely book, a CitizenÕs Income (sometimes called a Basic Income) is defined as
an unconditional, non-withdrawable income for every individual as a right of
citizenship. This much-needed book, written by an experienced researcher and
author, is the first for over a decade to analyse the social, economic and
labour market advantages of a Citizen's Income in the UK. It demonstrates that
it would be simple and cheap to administer, would reduce inequality, enhance
individual freedom and would be good for the economy, social cohesion,
families, and the employment market. It also contains international comparisons
and links with broader issues around the meaning of poverty and inequality,
making a valuable contribution to the debate around benefits. Accessibly
written, this is essential reading for policy-makers, researchers, teachers,
students, and anyone interested in the future of our society and our economy.Ó
The author, Dr. Malcolm Torry, is Director of the CitizenÕs Income Trust. He
has first degrees in mathematics, theology, philosophy, and economics and
management; and higher degrees in social policy and in theology. He has
recently completed an honorary research fellowship in the Social Policy
Department at the London School of Economics. He is Team Rector of the Church
of England Parish of East Greenwich.
For an initial period the book can be ordered at a reduced price (£19.99 rather
than £24.99) on the Policy Press website: www.policypress.co.uk.
If you would like to attend the launch then please email info@citizensincome.org
to book your place and receive further information.
[USBIG – April 2013]
This conference looks at alternative responses to the crises such as the
collective reduction of working time, the use of community currencies, and the
implementation of basic income. Experts in these fields present and discuss
these alternative policies and explain how they can contribute to a more
sustainable and resilient future for all. The event is organized and hosted by
Carl Schlyster, Member of the European Parliament (Green-Sweden). Presenters
include Louise Haag, of the University of York (UK), Jean-Marie Perbost, author
of the Green PartyÕs report ÒWork More? Work Less?Ó and Tony Greenham, of the
New Economic Foundation. The event is free, but all attendees must register.
More information, including the program and registration instructions, is
online at: http://www.greens-efa.eu/building-resilience-9644.html
[USBIG – April 2013]
A new organisation called Basic Income Ireland, held its introductory meeting
on Thursday March 7th, at National University of Ireland in Maynooth, 7-9pm.
Erik Olin Wright, professor of Sociology at the University of Wisconsin, was a
featured speaker.
The next Basic Income Ireland general network meeting will take place at the
Central Hotel, Exchequer Street, Dublin 2 on Thursday May, 2nd from 6.30 to
8.30pm. The general theme of the meeting will be 'spreading the word' about
basic income. Everyone is welcome to attend.
More information about the first event is online at:
http://www.feasta.org/2013/02/15/basic-income-ireland-first-public-event/?utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=PGBot&utm_source=PGBot
More information about the second event is online at:
http://www.basicincomeireland.com/news--events.html
Basic Income Ireland is online at:
http://www.basicincomeireland.com/
[USBIG – May 2013]
Earth Sharing and New Economics Webinar – On Monday, 6th May (10:00 am
EST US East Coast (7:00 am US West Coast, 15:00 London time) Alanna Hartzok
will give a teleseminar of the powerpoint she presented at the World Bank Land
and Poverty Conference (April in Washington, WB headquarters). The ppt contains
key points from her paper titled Socializing Land Rent, Untaxing Production,
which includes a significant argument for basic income. There will be several
discussion periods during the teleseminar. The teleseminar is sponsored by
Commons Action for the United Nations and the Commons Cluster. For PDF of the
full paper and further information contact: alanna@earthrights.net
Title: Earth Sharing and New Economics
Time: Monday, May 6th at 10:00am Eastern
3:00 pm UK
Listening method: Phone + Web Simulcast
Phone number: (206) 402-0100
PIN Code: 090366#
To attend via web only, no need to call in, this is the audio/visual link:
http://InstantTeleseminar.com/?eventID=40610271
Verona, Italy, 4th-29th April 2013: Photo Exhibition on Basic Income in Namibia
[BIN-Italia – Sapril 2013]
A photo exhibition on Namibia's basic income experiment has been going on at
the Library Frinzi in Verona from April 4th to 29th. On kick-off day, April
4th, there was a brief introduction of both the exhibition and Namibia's basic
income project. The experimentation undertaken in Namibia by BIGNAM (Basic
Income Grant-Namibia) aims at granting every man and women a universal and
unconditional basic income.
The photo exhibition, which is entitled 'Basic Income and Right to Life –
Signals from Namibia, Images of a Concrete Utopia', depicts particular moments
of daily life of Otjivero - Omitara (Namibia) community.
The exhibition was
organized by Simone Michelangelo Muzzioli, a Ph.D student in Sociology and
Social Research at the University of Verona, and it has been supported
by PhD program in Sociology and Social Research of the University of Verona.
For further information about the exhibition it is possible to contact Simone
Muzzioli (PhD student in Sociology and Social Research): simonemichelangelo.muzzioli@univr.it
More info (both in Italian and in English) is also available on line at:
http://www.bin-italia.org/informa.php?ID_NEWS=473
http://www.bin-italia.org/
[BIEN
– April 2013]
The Initiative for Basic Income in Greece organized a presentation in Athens on
April 25, 2013 to inform people about what Basic Income is and how they can
participate in the European effort to accumulate 1,000,000 signatures on a
petition to get the European Union to exmine BI. The eventÕs speakers were
Stanislas Jourdan (coordinator of the French movement for basic income and
coordinator of the European campaign for basic income), Manos Matsaganis
(Professor of public economics and social policy at the Athens University of
Economics and Business and a life time member of BIEN) and Vassilis Perantzakis
(Software engineer/Analyst and member of the Pirate Movement).
for more information on the Initiative for basic income in Greece
https://www.facebook.com/basicincomegr
https://twitter.com/basic_incomegr
[BIN-Italia – April 2013]
On April 24th a lesson about Citizen's Income will be held at the Faculty of
Law of Universitˆ degli Studi di Perugia (University of Perugia). The lesson
will be lectured by Giuseppe Bronzini who is a Judge in the Supreme Court of
Cassation in Italy, and the coordinator of the scientific committee of BIN
Italia. The event was organised by the University of Perugia, and specifically
by Professor Tamar Pitch who is chair of Philosophy of Law.
http://www.bin-italia.org/
[BIN -Italia – April 2013]
On April 13th a public meeting on Common Goods and the so-called Commissione
Rodotˆ (a parliamentary commission established in 2007 to change the rules of
the Italian civil code on the subject of public goods and chaired by Stefano
Rodotˆ, Professor Emeritus of Civil Law) was held at Teatro Valle Occupato. The
meeting is an important step to form a coalition of scholars, jurists, and
activist aiming at protecting the commons against neoliberal governance. Basic
income has been listed as a common good along with the access to water, culture
and nature.
More info (in Italian) is available on line at:
http://www.teatrovalleoccupato.it/linarrestabile-ascesa-dei-beni-comuni-assemblea-pubblica-sabato-13-aprile-ore-15-30
http://www.bin-italia.org/
[BIN-Italia – April 2013]
On April 10th a conference entitled ''The Future of Europe: a debate about
solidarity, democracy, and integration'' was held in Turin at Fondazione
Einaudi. The conference, which focused also on the issue of Basic Income, was
attended by Philippe Van Parijs, Universite Catholique de Louvain, and Guido
Montani, Universita di Pavia. The event was moderated by Flavio Brugnoli,
Director of Centro Studi sul Federalismo.
Info (in Italian):
http://www.carloalberto.org/assets/events/ilfuturodelleuropa.pdf
http://www.bin-italia.org/
[BIN-Italia – April 2013]
A workshop entitled 'Guaranteed Minimum Income and Fight Against Social
Exclusion' was organised on April 8th at Universita degli studi di Firenze. The
workshop was lectured by Giuseppe Bronzini, Judge in the Supreme Court of
Cassation in Italy, and coordinator of the scientific committee of BIN Italia.
The event was part of a cycles of workshops organised by the Course of Labour
Law of the University of Florence.
http://www.bin-italia.org/
[BIB-Italia – April 2013]
On April 8th the Association Progetto Diritti organised the presentation of
both BIN Italia last book, Reddito minimo
garantito, un progetto necessario e possibile [Guaranteed Minimum Income, a feasible and necessary project]
(published by Edizioni Gruppo Abele) and the campaign '#Just Approve it!'
launched by the associations involved in the campaign for a popular initiative
bill on guaranteed minimum income. During the event they screened the video
'Reinventing the Welfare State: a European perspective' by Francesca Bria and
Sandro Gobetti.
The event was attended by Luca Santini (President of BIN Italia), Massimiliano
Smeriglio (Deputy Governor of Regione Lazio), Celeste Costantino (MP of
Sinistra Ecologia Libertˆ [Left, Ecology Freedom]), and Arturo Salerni (lawyer
and member of Progetto Diritti). The meeting was introduced by Mario Angelelli,
President of the Association Progetto Diritti.
http://www.progettodiritti.it/
http://www.bin-italia.org/
[BIEN – 2013]
The New website, du basic income au Portugal, has news and information about
basic income in Portugal. The language of the site is Portuguese.
ItÕs online at: http://www.rendabasicaincondicional.pt
It has a facebook page at:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Renda-B‡sica-Incondicional-PT
[BIEN – April 2013]
On January 14th 2013, the European Commission accepted a petition for European CitizensÕ Initiative
for Basic Income, triggering a one-year campaign involving all countries in
the European Union. If the organizers collect 1 million statements of support
for the Basic Income petition from any 1 million out of the 500 million
citizens of the European Union by January 14, 2014, the European Commission will
be legally obliged to examine their initiative and arrange for a public hearing
in the European Parliament.
The initiativeÕs website is: http://basicincome2013.eu/
The signup page for the petition is: http://basicincome2013.eu/ubi/signup-page/
[Aynur Bashirova – BI News – February 2013]
The BIG movement is a grassroots movement, which aims to raise awareness about
the Basic Income. It does this by a network of project teams, public events,
and media channels. Anyone interested can join the movement from its website,
Facebook users can connect its through its Facebook page.
Website: http://www.thebigmovement.org/.
Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/thebigmovement?fref=ts
Curated by Khannea Suntzu
This website has a host of links to articles supporting basic income.
http://www.scoop.it/t/arguments-for-basic-income
AUDIO: Latentexistence ÒWhy does everyone have to work?Ó
Also available as a blog, the podcast challenges the notion that the poor can be divided into the deserving and the undeserving. According to the author, a BIG would:
á Replace the tax allowance and the benefits system
á Make savings on means testing and administration
á Allow freedom to work part time, full time or not at all
á Allow the pursuit of hobbies and interests away from work
á Produce inventions and innovations that benefit us all
á Result in the production of books, music and art
á Allow people to perform services for others and their community
á Shift the balance of power from employers to employees
á Provide security when jobs are not secure
á Remove the fear and stress of disability assessments
AUDIO: Latentexistence, ÒWhy does everyone have to work?Ó November 27, 2012
http://www.latentexistence.me.uk/why-does-everyone-have-to-work/
This book, released in 2011, is now available for free as a
computer-generated audio book in MP3 format. (It is also available for download
as PDF, see story from BI News, May 19, 2013). The hard copy is still available
for Û29.90. Philippe Van Parijs is one of the leading philosophers writing
about basic income today. Many of the chapters in this book respond to his
ideas about basic income.
The audio version of the book is not read by a human being. It is created by
read-out-loud software in a computer-generated voice. But it provides an
accessible version of the text ready for downloading from the internet and
uploading onto an iPod or any other portable audio player.
According to Noble Laureate, Amartya Sen, ÒA book of quick and sharp thoughts on
a grand theme is a novel way of paying tribute to a leading philosopher. But it
has worked beautifully here, both as a stimulating book of ideas on justice,
and as a fitting recognition of the intellectual contributions of Philippe Van
Parijs, who is one of the most original and most creative thinkers of our time.
Ó
Gosseries, Axel and Yannick Vanderborght (editors), Arguing about justice:
Essays for Philippe Van Parijs. Louvain-la-Neuve: UCL Presses, 2011
The audio (MP3) version is available at: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/z54m0lhjyd9y636/zgW4qS9Ssc/A.B.%20Axel%20Gosseries%20%26%20Yannick%20Vanderborght%20%28editors%29
The PDF version is available at:
http://permalink.gmane.org/gmane.science.philosophy.region.europe/4125?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
For more info about the book go to:
http://www.i6doc.com/fr/livre/?GCOI=28001100609230
Thom Hartman, of the U.S.-based news website, RT The Big
Picture, recently interviewed Guy Standing on basic income, the Alaska
Dividend, and related issues. The interview is now on YouTube.
Hartmann, Thom. ÒThe right to basic income: Interview with Guy Standing,Ó RT The Big Picture, YouTube, Apr 1, 2013
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAnzQ7PKM9M
Martin Ruhland has written and recorded a song about basic
income. Two versions of the song (in both English and German) are
unconditionally available on RuhlandÕs MySpace page. According to the song,
Basic Income will Ògrant all the people living here on Earth / Enough to live
in dignity from birth.Ó
The English version, ÒBasic Income,Ó is online at: http://www.myspace.com/martinruhland/music/songs/basic-income-91877476
The German version, ÒGrundeinkommen,Ó is online at: http://www.myspace.com/martinruhland/music/songs/grundeinkommen-40-rich-version-41-88553520
[BIEN – April 2013]
This 3-minute YouTube video explains the European CitizensÕ Initiative for an
Unconditional Basic Income. It is online at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqXXO0GGNRI
[USBIG – March 2013]
Wallace Klinck, ÒSocial Credit, Unemployment and Leisure--an addressÓ
This 45-minute YouTube lecture discusses the economic system known as Social
Credit, which includes a form of Basic Income Guarantee. The lecture was
originally delivered by Wallace Klinck, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada on March
8, 1971. The YouTude ÒvideoÓ includes audio and the text of the speech.
ItÕs online at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7F6h1s42vWQ
[BIEN - March 2013]
Goodman, David, ÒPush is on for CHF2,500 'basic income' (audio interview)Ó World Radio Switzerland, Monday,
21 January, 2013
A federal initiative was launched in Switzerland last April asking for an
unconditional basic income guaranteed of 2,500 Francs a month for every
resident, regardless of their nationality. Campaigners already have half the
signatures for a ballot with 10 months of campaigning still left. And last
week, a another citizenÕs initiative was launched in the European Union, asking
the European Commission to consider the a similar idea. Dave Goodman, of World
Radio Switzerland, talks to Gabriel Barta, a member of the committee behind the
Swiss Basic Income initiative.
The interview can be found at this link: http://worldradio.ch/wrs/news/switzerland/push-is-on-for-chf2500-basic-income.shtml?34207
March 23, 2013, The Futurist:
A Magazine of Forecasts, Trends, and Ideas about the Future.
This blog makes a connection between BIG and peer-to-peer networks.
https://www.wfs.org/blogs/dale-carrico/p2p-either-pay-peer-or-it-peers-precarity
BIEN NewsFlash:
Editor: Karl Widerquist
The BIEN NewsFlash is the newsletter of the Basic Income Earth Network. It is
mailed electronically every two months to over 1,500 subscribers throughout the
world. If you would like to be added or removed from the subscription list,
please go to: http://www.basicincome.org/bien/subscribe.php.
BIENÕs news website is BInews.org. It includes many of the articles from the
NewsFlash, daily news on basic income, book reviews, opinion, and more.
Items for inclusion or review in future NewsFlashes and BI News please contact BIENÕs
News Editor, Karl Widerquist <Karl@widerquist.com>
Or go to the following page on the BI News website: http://binews.org/contribute.php
Thanks for
help with this issue to Cindy LÕHirondelle, Guy Standing, Steve Shafarman,
Michael Howard, and others.
BIEN
Co-chairs:
Ingrid VAN NIEKERK ivanniekerk@epri.org.za, Economic Policy Research
Institute, Cape Town, South Africa
Karl WIDERQUIST
Karl@Widerquist.com, Georgetown University, SFS-Qatar
Further details about BIEN's Executive Committee and
International Board as well as further information about the Recognised National Networks can be
found on our website www.basicincome.org
MEMBERSHIP
All life members of the Basic Income
European Network, many of whom were non-Europeans, have automatically become
life members of the Basic Income Earth Network. To join them, just send your
name and address (postal and electronic) to Almaz Zelleke <azelleke@gmail.com>,
Secretary of BIEN, and
transfer EUR 100 to BIEN's account 001 2204356 10 at FORTIS BANK (IBAN: BE41
0012 2043 5610), 10 Rond-Point Schuman, B-1040 Brussels, Belgium. An
acknowledgement will be sent upon receipt.
BIEN Life-members can become "B(I)ENEFACTORS" by giving another 100
Euros or more to the Network. The funds collected will facilitate the
participation of promising BI advocates coming from developing countries or
from disadvantaged groups.
For a list of members and
B(I)Enefactors go to www.basicincome.org.
The items included in BIEN NewsFlashes are not protected by any
copyright.
They can be reproduced and translated at will. But if you use them, please
mention their source, the address of the Basic Income Earth Network (including its
web site www.basicincome.org), and the exact references of the events or
publications concerned. Thank you.