by BIEN | Oct 7, 2015 | News
U.S. Department of Arts and Culture’s report, “An Act of Collective Imagination: The USDAC’s First Two Years of Action Research” recommends a universal basic income grant (BIG). The USDAC report highlights how artists under present policies have to acquire grant money for each individual project. Such a grant would be especially useful for artists to focus on their creative passions, but also beneficial for the rest of society. USDAC also argues that the adoption of the BIG would greatly reduce bureaucracy by guaranteeing every citizen a sufficient income to pay for basic needs (food, shelter, healthcare, etc.).
For the full report:
Arlene Goldbard, “An Act of Collective Imagination: The USDAC’s First Two Years of Action Research” U.S. Department of Arts and Culture.
by BIEN | Sep 16, 2015 | News
This video outlines the benefits of a basic income guarantee from a libertarian perspective. The video argues for, more specifically, a guaranteed minimum income. The video explains that a basic income guarantee would be less paternalistic, less bureaucratic, and fairer than the current welfare state. Three arguments are put forth to support the benefits of a basic income. Zwolinski argues that it would be simpler, give people more freedom to make decisions about their lives, and is more egalitarian than current entitlement programs
Matt Zwolinski, “Freedom: Benefits of a Basic Income Guarantee” Learn Liberty
by BIEN | Sep 11, 2015 | News
In a public square in Berlin, Ralph Boes can be found sitting at a table. Anyone who would like to can speak to Boes, who will then explain his protest of the current German welfare system. Boes demands a “livable income”, a guaranteed minimum income that can provide enough for everyone to meet their needs. Germany’s welfare sanctions mean that if an individual refuses a job, regardless of the circumstances, they lose their welfare benefits. Boes believes that this policy of sanctions fundamentally sacrifices the dignity of the individual. Boes has been on strike since July 1, and plans to continue his strike to educate people about the basic income.
For more information on Boes and his ideas, visit Boes website, or the Tumblr page dedicated to his efforts.
by BIEN | Sep 8, 2015 | News
This article critically assesses both sides in the debate about the advance of technology’s impact on the future of employment. Social media is a great example of how new technology has actually created more jobs in the process of technological advancement, but other data predicts that 45% of jobs could disappear. Regardless of the impact technology will have, Rota believes basic income needs to shape the policy surrounding technological change.
Anton Fernandez de Rota, “About technology, basic income and the extinction of work [De la tecnología, la Renta Básica y la extinción del trabajo]” Diagonal Blogs, August 26, 2015.
by BIEN | Sep 7, 2015 | Research
This report examines the impact of an emergency cash grant distributed by churches in Namibia modeled on the Basic Income Grant Pilot in Otjivero. During the 2012/2013 summer months, the precipitation deficits varied between 20% and 90%, which resulted in one of the worst recorded droughts in Namibia that left 36% of the population food insecure. The cash grant’s impact was significant and life saving. During the baseline, 63% of people involved suffered from insufficient food daily or at least once a week. Following the grant, 77% of people did not lack food during the month Individuals used the remaining 40% of the money to meet health related expenditure, to invest in schooling and farming. Prior to the project, about 60% surveyed preferred cash over food aid or fodder for the animals, after five months of receiving the grant, this figure rose to nearly 95%.
Claudia and Dirk Haarmann, “Relief through cash: Impact assessment of the emergency cash grant in Namibia” BIG Coalition Namibia, July 2015.
