The Huffington post included Allan Sheahen, author of the Basic Income Guarantee: Your Right to Economic Security, in a 17-minute panel discussion of BIG as “a solution to reversing this ever increasing problem,” of poverty.
It’s online at: https://live.huffingtonpost.com/r/segment/americas-poverty-line/5202961678c90a30d3000123
The Flemish green party Groen! has recently suggested the implementation of a basic pension for all in Belgium. According to green MP Wouter De Vriendt (5 August 2013), the amount of such a basic income for the old should be fixed at 1000EUR per month. On top of it, individuals could add a “work bonus” depending on their past work record.
For further information, see the press release of MP Wouter De Vriendt (in Dutch)
ABSRACT: Addressing the issue of poverty in Canada is an important challenge to policymakers. Establishing an income floor below which no citizen falls is a critical public policy goal for the Canadian welfare state. In responding to this policy issue, recent debate has revolved around a guaranteed annual income (GAI), defined as a basic income paid by the government to all citizens on an individual basis, without means test or work requirement. The purpose of this paper is to analyze past and present GAI programs to inform the public policy debate on the implementation of a GAI in Canada. Among the factors under consideration are the program’s efficiency in targeting payments, as well as its effect on family structure and labour force participation. On an implementation level, the paper also explores the potential for introducing a GAI through a negative income tax. It is also important to note, however, that relatively few GAI programs exist currently, and those that do, often are not sufficient alone in providing income maintenance to citizens.
Martin, Melissa, “International Perspectives on Guaranteed Annual Income Programs,” Queen’s Policy Review, Volume 2, No. 1 (Winter 2011), pp. 49-61
Libertarian populism in Reason Magazine
Libertarianism, in the United States, is a political ideology dedicated to the smallest possible government. Yet, there is a long history of at least some libertarians favoring basic income. In two articles in the libertarian magazine, Reason, Jesse Walker discusses basic income as a part of the libertarian agenda and the Alaska Dividend as an example of a working basic income. According to Walker, “The American safety net is a confusing maze of programs, many of which double as a way for paternalists to stick their snouts into poor people’s lives. It would be both simpler and less intrusive to replace the lot of them with a single negative income tax or basic income grant.”
Jesse Walker, “One State Already Has a Basic Income Plan,” Reason: Free Minds and Free Markets, Aug. 2, 2013 Jesse Walker, “How Far Will Libertarian Populists Go?” Reason: Free Minds and Free Markets, Aug. 1, 2013
The Canadian Basic Income Network (BICN) is urgently looking for a volunteer who can us assist with designing brochures, posters and related promotional material. No professional background required, but ideally someone with relevant experience. Anyone interested please contact Jurgen De Wispelaere directly at jurgen.dewispelaere@gmail.com.
The 24th BIEN CONGRESS in Maricá & Niterói – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – 27-29 August 2025
Linkedin, Instagram, X – biencongress25 (at) gmail [dot] com
BIEN2024 was August 29–31 (Pictures and more coming soon)