by Scott Jacobsen | Feb 20, 2025 | News
Prof. David Nettle is a researcher in the Evolution and Social Cognition team at the Institut Jean Nicod, Paris, and a Professor at Northumbria University. His research spans the biological and social sciences, focusing on economic and social inequality, trust and cooperation, adversity and aging, food insecurity, and moral and political cognition. He is also interested in interdisciplinary synthesis, open science, and the application of research to public policy. His publications are freely accessible, along with an introductory R and statistics course. He has authored several books and maintains a blog on science and society.
Scott Douglas Jacobsen: How does basic income address the roots of economic inequality?
Prof. David Nettle: Basic income, under the scheme we propose, does two things.
First, it is redistributive, meaning that it brings the incomes of the poorest households much closer to the median, whilst taking from the very richest ones. It does this because we couple it with a progressive income tax. The richest households get their basic income, but it is clawed back from them through income tax. The poorest household are net gainers. Thus, basic income takes over the function of the existing welfare state in a simpler way.
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by Scott Jacobsen | Feb 10, 2025 | News
Dieter Althaus has been serving as the Vice President of Governmental Affairs at Magna Europe since 2011. In this role, he is responsible for managing relationships with governmental entities and overseeing corporate affairs within Europe.
Scott Douglas Jacobsen: What inspired advocacy for the “Solidarity Citizen’s Income” (Solidarisches Bürgergeld) while Minister-President of Thuringia?
Dieter Althaus: Our social system in Germany is becoming a significant problem for proper implementation due to a strong differentiation and quantitative expansion. In addition, the incentive effect for paid or voluntary work is not sufficient.
Jacobsen: How does universal basic income align with principles of the Christian Democratic Union?
Althaus: The basic principles of the solidarity society are preserved. Due to the principle of negative income tax, the system is easy to understand and it is easy to implement.
Jacobsen: What primary economic and social benefits can come from universal basic income for Germany?
Althaus: Work, paid as well as voluntary, pays off and is socially recognized. The negative income tax ensures transparent implementation.
Jacobsen: What challenges emerge from proposing the Solidarity Citizen’s Income?
Althaus: The welfare state would have to be completely rebuilt. The resulting transparent structures prevent abuse and lead to a considerable reduction in bureaucratic costs.
Jacobsen: Is the socio-economic climate in Germany more receptive to basic income since 2006?
Althaus: I do not believe that such a reform would currently be feasible in Germany.
Jacobsen: What advice is pertinent for policymakers and basic income advocates today?
Althaus: I don’t give advice. Our concept is available and could be discussed or implemented in an adapted way. The political will is not present and the potential for defamation is unfortunately great.
Jacobsen: Thank you for the opportunity and your time, Mr. Althaus.
by Scott Jacobsen | Jan 27, 2025 | News
Today, we are joined by Karl Widerquist, a political philosophy professor at Georgetown University-Qatar. He has an extensive research and publication record on universal basic income. He uses an interdisciplinary approach, incorporating economics, politics, philosophy, and anthropology into his work. He has also developed indepentarian political theory, specifically within his framework of justice as the pursuit of accord (JPA). What do indepentarianism and justice as the pursuit of accord mean?
Prof. Karl Widerquist: The idea of justice as the pursuit of accord stems from criticisms I’ve made of natural rights theory and social contract theory. We need a new framework to justify social arrangements. A well-intentioned individual seeking to organize social arrangements and interact with others should aim to cooperate rather than impose their will.
To read the full interview, click here.
by Scott Jacobsen | Jan 22, 2025 | News
Steven Janssens is a Belgian filmmaker and engineer known for his diverse career as a director, editor, and trainer. He gained recognition for documenting Crazy Money (2020), a film capturing the Eight project in Busibi, Uganda, where residents receive unconditional basic income. His extensive filmography includes the documentary Wardje (2004), Point Off U (2007), and contributions to Kongo (2010). Steven has worked on award-winning projects like Atoma by Brepols (2012) and web documentaries like Het Antwerpgevoel (2010), and most recent film Blind Spots (instagram: @blindspotsthefilm). Combining technical expertise and creative vision, Steven continues to explore impactful storytelling through innovative and socially conscious filmmaking. Janssens talks about collaborating with sociologist Maarten Goethals to provide unconditional cash transfers in impoverished African communities, including Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Inspired by the transformative potential of basic income, Janssens produced Crazy Money, documenting their pilot project in Busibi, Uganda. By partnering with the University of Antwerp, Eight measured the program’s impact on education, healthcare, and entrepreneurship. Janssens emphasizes trust and autonomy, noting significant improvements in life satisfaction and community development. Eight’s efforts now expand to Côte d’Ivoire, addressing poverty, climate resilience, and gender equality through evidence-based, scalable interventions.
Scott Douglas Jacobsen: Today, we’re here with Steven Janssens, a Belgian documentary filmmaker who co-founded the nonprofit Eight, established in 2015. You founded this organization with sociologist Maarten Goethals. What was the original inspiration behind Eight, and why did you focus specifically on underserved communities in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo?
To read the full interview, click here.
by Scott Jacobsen | Jan 21, 2025 | News
Today, we are here with Sarath Davala. He is an international intellectual, an Indian sociologist, and the Chair the of Basic Income Earth Network (BIEN), a global organization fostering dialogue on universal basic income. Of the organizations I write for and collaborate with, this is genuinely international regarding its members’ personalities, cultural backgrounds, and intellectual contributions. Sarath is one of those prominent figures.
He is the co-author of Basic Income: A Transformative Policy for India. He served as the research director for the Madhya Pradesh Basic Income Pilot from 2010 to 2014. He was an associate professor at the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore from 1993 to 2000. Based in Hyderabad, India, he co-founded the India Network for Basic Income and Mission Possible 2030, both dedicated to advancing informed discussions about basic income.
First, what inspired your sociological perspective and promotion of universal basic income as a transformative policy proposal?
To read the full interview, click here.
