Guy Standing, “Cash transfers can work better than subsidies.” The Hindu, December 6, 2014.
necessary?“The Public Distribution System acts as a deterrent to local food production.” Picture shows a woman showing her ration card to purchase subsidised rice in Rayagada, Odisha.— Photo: AP via the Hindu
This opinion piece discusses results of the recent Basic Income pilot project in India.
Renana Jhabvala, “No conditions apply.” The Indian Express, December 9, 2014.
The CTs enabled children to go to school, often switching from a non-functional government school to a private one. -The Indian Express
The Max Weber Programme at the European University Institute in Florence, Italy has released the following call for abstracts for the following conference: on “The Future of Basic Income Research:”
Max Weber Programme
The Max Weber Programme at the European University Institute is proud to launch the following call for abstracts for a conference on the topic of universal basic income.
• When: 26-27 June, 2015
• Where: European University Institute (Florence, Italy)
• Keynote Speakers: Philippe Van Parijs and Yannick Vanderborght
• Deadline for submission of abstracts: 15th of February
• Conference organizers: Juliana Bidadanure and Robert Lepenies
• Conference website: https://www.eui.eu/…/June/TheFutureofBasicIncomeResearch.aspx
The past three decades have seen the elaboration of a vast body of literature on universal basic income – a policy proposal Philippe Van Parijs referred to as a “disarmingly simple idea”. It consists of a monthly cash allowance given to all citizens, regardless of personal desert and without means-test. Basic income studies are an example of successful interdisciplinary research, involving philosophers, economists and sociologists, among many others. Basic income (BI) proponents have identified, evaluated and deconstructed many potential and actual objections against this radical proposal. Yet for young scholars interested in, but new to, basic income, the field might seem crowded and overwhelming. This conference aims to look into the future of basic income research: Which questions have been left unanswered, which questions should be posed? What should be on the research agenda for the next 10 years?
We invite submissions of abstracts of no more than one page for the conference that will take place on Friday June 26th. Please also provide a short biographical sketch. The deadline for submission is February 15th 2015.
We are also pleased to announce that the conference will also feature a book workshop on Saturday June 27th. Philippe Van Parijs and Yannick Vanderborght will discuss with select participants their new book manuscript on basic income. All participants are welcome to join the workshop. Those interested in acting as discussants are invited to email us.
EUI
Please confirm your attendance to both the conference and the workshop by emailing Juliana Bidadanure (Juliana.Bidadanure@eui.eu) or Robert Lepenies (Robert.Lepenies@eui.eu).
See the detailed call for abstracts here: https://mwpweb.eu/1/178/resources/document_798_1.pdf
Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare
The Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare—a peer-reviewed, academic research journal—will have a special issue on the Basic Income Guarantee to be published in 2016. Manuscripts submitted by September 30, 2015 will be considered. The editors released the following call for papers:
The financial crisis of 2007-2008 and its recessionary aftermath have, once again, raised the issue of whether a market economy can be relied upon to assure economic security. Although the market economy is dynamic and quite productive, the financial crisis has highlighted its instability and tendency to produce high unemployment, low wages, stagnant wages, greater income inequality or a combination. Many would argue that the social welfare system, with its myriad of safety net programs, is intended to address such conditions. Yet it has holes that have allowed many to still live in poverty, many more to live with a very realistic fear of falling into poverty, and an erosion of the middle class. This instability and tendency toward low wages, stagnant wages for middle class families, or no employment in a market economy, coupled with a social safety net system riddled with holes, suggests that it is time to think about new approaches to income and wealth distribution, not only for purposes of poverty prevention or even poverty reduction, but also for social justice. Are there fairer and more efficient ways to distribute the fruits of our individual and collective efforts to everyone’s benefit?
One such program is the basic income guarantee (BIG), also called the guaranteed income. The idea is simple: replace most income support programs with a floor under everyone’s income, structured so that no one is in poverty and everyone is better off financially if they earn more in the private market. We’re issuing a call for papers for a special issue of The Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare (JSSW) to explore the merits of BIG and related proposals such as guaranteed jobs, stakeholder grants, asset accumulation policies, and living wage legislation. We’re interested in proposals related to BIG because some have argued that the goals of BIG could be better realized by other approaches, such as government guaranteeing a job instead of an income. The special issue is intended to consider the economic, social, political, and philosophical questions about BIG and related policies. The papers will be written by social workers and academics in related disciplines. The special issue is intended to explore some of the following Topics:
This special issue of JSSW will be co-edited by Professors Michael Lewis, The Silberman School of Social Work, Hunter College, and Richard K Caputo, Wurzweiler School of Social Work, Yeshiva University. We invite authors to submit manuscripts not to exceed thirty double-spaced (12-pitch font) pages (including references) on any of the topics above as well as related topics. Manuscripts received by September 30, 2015 will be considered for a special issue of JSSW with an anticipated publication date in June or September 2016. Please send MS Word manuscripts that adhere to the APA Manual, 6th edition style, electronically, as email attachments to:
Michael A. Lewis, Associate Professor: michael.a.lewis@hunter.cuny.edu
This book is a personal and family memoir, of Christopher Balfour—youth employment officer, independent councilor, writer, mechanic, octogenarian, and long-term basic income advocate. The book discusses British industrial self destruction and contains a plea for less inequality. It describes the author’s involvement with the Citizen’s income concept when he was involved in Politics and with the Youth Employment Service in the 1970s. The final chapter sums up its value based on the Balfour’s experience since 1970.
Christopher Balfour, Learning from Difference. Tricorn Books. 2014.
See also the author’s website.
Learning from Difference
