BIEN | Opinion
Opinion Posts
Here you will find articles expressing opinions about current issues in the Basic Income debate. Opinions expressed are not necessarily the opinions of BIEN.
Response: Money for nothing
Brookings wrote a short essay about basic income, arguing that it may be a step too far. To me, what has been “too far” is precisely this present day system of oppression, where poverty runs rampant, levels of inequality are breaking records, all while societal and environmental stress reach all-time highs.
Response: Could a Basic Income Help Poor Countries?
Pranab Bardhan is a professor of economics who is skeptical about a universal basic income in rich countries, but asks if it isn’t both fiscally feasible and socially desirable in poor countries.
Donald Trump and the Prospects for a Basic Income
The Republican Party convention is over, and I’m feeling hopeful. Trump’s triumph may be a big step forward in our campaign to enact a basic income in the United States. With Trump’s speech, and the convention’s overall tone, the party has completed its transition and come out of the closet. It’s now the Repugnant Party.
US: Universal Basic Income is returning to America
Over the past year, growing support from an array of thought leaders suggests a rising tide for UBI in the US.
If Citizen’s Income is the Answer, What is the Question?
The simple question, alluded to in the title of this article, is: ‘How do we end the wages system?’ That raises further questions – ‘Why end the wage system? What is wrong with it?’ or the fundamental question: ‘What is the wages system?’
Universal basic income: poor tool to fight poverty? Mapping the debate
A recent article in The New York Times, entitled “Universal Basic Income is Poor Tool to Fight Poverty,” spawned a debate on the desirability of implementing a UBI in the United States. This Basic Income News feature analyzes the NYT column’s argument against UBI, and looks at the counterarguments posed in several response pieces.
The Economist’s “Basically Flawed” Argument Against UBI
An article in The Economist argues that UBI is a radical policy that is just too risky to pursue. However, this article understates the potential benefits of UBI–or, perhaps, its moral necessity.
ITALY: Basic income and the future of work
Introduction: the minimum income In Italy, the debate on basic income has lasted for almost 20 years. Back in August 1997, the ECN.org website published my pamphlet titled “Ten thesis on citizenship income”. This text, which saw a successful circulation, especially...
“Would a universal basic income make us lonely?” – A Reply
A UBI would not *cause* loneliness; it might indeed *enable* loneliness, but this should not be a decisive point against the policy.
Swiss Basic Income: Too Expensive?
Author: Robin Ketelaars The Swiss referendum for an unconditional basic income ended on June 5 with 23 percent voting yes. The organizers had expected 20%, so in many ways this was still a positive outcome. With a turnout of only 47 percent, the result demonstrates...
Our Vision for BIEN, 2016
By Karl Widerquist, co-chair BIEN, and Louise Haagh, co-chair BIEN BIEN has made great strides in the last few years. Two years ago, our main goals were to charter BIEN as a legally recognized non-profit organization, to organize the 2016 Congress in Seoul Korea, and...
Help make history: Create the largest basic income pilot yet
Dear friends, The basic income movement is picking up momentum at an enormous rate, but even with past and present trials, many are still looking for further evidence of what would happen if a guaranteed income were provided over the long-term. So we’re planning to...
