by Peter Knight | Feb 28, 2025 | News
Abstract
“The growing popularity of basic income has led to extensive trials of the policy in numerous settings across the world. However, analysis of the politics of basic income, and in particular the political dynamics preceding and resulting from trial programs, lags. In response, we propose a research agenda that uses political scale to investigate where basic income trials emerge, how individual trials’ design and implementation parameters vary, and how those trials influence subsequent policy development. By focusing on the previously omitted variable of political scale, our approach addresses a number of key challenges in evaluating basic income trials. First, we provide a means of identifying negative and partial cases to remedy the small-N problem at the national and regional scales. Second, focusing on a given scale helps to identify specific incumbent programs and policy possibilities influenced by basic income trials. Third, our framework. draws attention to the importance of distinct, scale-based political dynamics in both securing basic income trials and converting trial programs into future policy changes.
K E Y W O R D S basic income, cash transfers, political scale, social experiments, trial programs. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.© 2025 The Author(s). Policy Studies Journal published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Policy Studies Organization.”
To read and/or download the article, click here.
by Peter Knight | Jan 27, 2025 | News
In January, BIEN’s Asia-Pacific Hub published its first newsletter, 14 pages complete with many articles and photos.
To view the newsletter, click here.
by Peter Knight | Jan 16, 2025 | News
Note: The concept of basic income discussed here does not conform to BIEN’s definition.
“Many Americans are struggling with poverty, unemployment, mental health issues, addiction, and other challenges that make it extremely difficult to get back on their feet. According to the latest data from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), over 770,000 Americans reported experiencing homelessness on a single night in January 2024, marking a record high number and an 18% increase from 2023.
A guaranteed income program aims to provide reliable cash assistance to give people the stability, time, and resources they need to secure housing, food, healthcare, employment, and other basic needs. Studies, including our own, have shown that guaranteed income programs can effectively lift people out of homelessness and poverty when implemented thoughtfully. Cash assistance empowers recipients to make their own choices about what they need most. It treats them with dignity and trusts that they know best how to improve their situation.”
To view and/or download the playbook, click here.
by Peter Knight | Jan 13, 2025 | News
The Basic Income Earth Network (BIEN) is seeking a consultant to develop a comprehensive overview of the global fundraising ecosystem as part of our strategy to ensure financial sustainability in 2025. Deadline for applications: 17 January 2025.
Project Overview
● Scope: Conduct a systematic review of worldwide fundraising opportunities (both core and project-specific funding) for BIEN.
● Deliverable: A detailed report with specific, actionable recommendations, to be delivered by the end of March 2025.
● Duration: 2-3 months, with possible follow-up work available.
● Fee: USD 1,000.
To read the full advertisement, click here.
by Peter Knight | Dec 21, 2024 | News
Looking back at 2024, it’s clear that the needle has moved on guaranteed income. With over 150 pilots happening in the United States, more people than ever know about guaranteed income, and a majority of voters support it. Independent researchers have begun releasing data on early pilots — and with 15 cities reported on so far, the data is overwhelmingly positive. Nearly every city evaluated has seen higher rates of employment, greater financial stability, improved housing security and many other benefits.
To read the MGI/CGI 2024 end-of-year report, click here.
A big part of MGI/CGI’s work is changing the narrative, and the organizations are proud of the ways they were able to introduce people to guaranteed income, challenge narratives around work and worthiness, and bring a spotlight to the opposition this year. And all while continuing to center the voices of recipients and our members. Here are some highlights:
NBC News anchor Valerie Castro spoke to CGI Co-Chair and President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners, Hon. Toni Preckwinkle in April for an in-depth look at Cook County Promise, the guaranteed income pilot in the greater Chicago area. Watch the full video here.
And Business Insider covered the growing success of guaranteed income programs through in-depth profiles with eight guaranteed income recipients from across the nation, in a digital feature released in November.
Guaranteed income recipient and Saint Paul resident LeAndra Estis has become an advocate for unconditional cash, sharing her story of the impact this type of support had on her and her family. Read the full story here.
