A Basic Income is a periodic cash payment unconditionally delivered to all on an individual basis, without means-test or work requirement.

UBIdata: Data for Basic Income Research and Policy

At its most recent congress, BIEN launched UBIdata, an innovative new tool with a mission to match reliable information about basic income with a rapidly growing global user base of individuals and organisations eager to learn more. UBIdata gathers, processes and...

Rentier Capitalism, the Precariat and Basic Income for China

Throughout history, capitalism has evolved, changing character and changing the class structure defining each era. The changes in the 20th century can be understood by reference to what Karl Polanyi called the Great Transformation. Briefly, in his formulation, in the 19th century, mainly in Britain, there was an initial period in the evolution of industrial capitalism that was dominated by financial capital, in which old systems of distribution, regulation and social protection were dismantled, in what we would call the pursuit of a ‘free market economy’. 

Taiwan Makes History with Universal Cash Payment Plan

Taiwan is making history by sending out a one-time universal cash payment of $6,000 New Taiwan dollars (NTD) to every citizen “young and old.” This is the first time the country has implemented such a policy, and it comes as a result of excess tax revenue of $450...

Join Hands & Hearts With BIEN

A convergence of various circumstances in the 21st century has made a Basic Income policyan achievable goal. Discussions and policy debates about Basic Income are taking place in countries across the world. We see this as an incredible opportunity for BIEN to...

This South Korean Presidential Election is Vital

There are rare moments when a combination of threatening circumstances leads to a wonderful transformation that only a short time before would have been unimaginable. This year may be such a moment. The Republic of Korea could set an example to the world that would...

The Royal Society of Arts Explains: [2 minutes]

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BIEN Congresses

The 24th BIEN CONGRESS in Maricá & Niterói – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – 27-29 August 2025

Call for Papers Announcement: Nov. 2024

Linkedin, Instagram, X  – biencongress25 (at) gmail [dot] com

BIEN2024 was August 29–31 (Pictures and more coming soon)


Basic Income

A Basic Income is a periodic cash payment unconditionally delivered to all on an individual basis, without means-test or work requirement. Read more


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Recent News, Opinion, and Research

FRIBIS Winter School with Phillipe van Parijs

FRIBIS Winter School with Phillipe van Parijs

The Freiburg Institute for Basic Income Studies (FRIBIS) is inviting you to the first FRIBIS winter school, entitled “Today’s global challenges and the UBI debate”, and under the guidance of Philippe van Parijs, from January 16th to 20th 2023. Over the five days, the...

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COP27: An opportunity for basic income

COP27: An opportunity for basic income

Leaders from around the world are attending to discuss climate change, its consequences, and how to face them. This event is COP27 which took place in Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt. One of the focuses of the recent climate conference is how to support countries, especially...

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UBI and the Cost of Living Crisis

UBI and the Cost of Living Crisis

UBI Lab Food is organizing an online event about ‘Universal Basic Income and the Cost of Living Crisis’ on Monday, 21 November 2022, from 6:00 to 7:30 PM UK time. The panel will consist of Ian Byrne MP, Lucy Antal (Feedback Global), Mary O’Hara (Author), Penny Walters...

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New book on basic income by Malcolm Torry

New book on basic income by Malcolm Torry

Malcolm Torry, BIEN Treasurer, has a new book, Basic Income—What, Why, and How? Aspects of the Global Basic Income Debate just published by Palgrave Macmillan. The book analyzes the global Basic Income debate which is now widespread, and is based on conference papers,...

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Summary Report on the BIEN 2022 Congress

Summary Report on the BIEN 2022 Congress

The 21st annual Congress of the Basic Income Earth Network (BIEN) was hosted in Brisbane, Australia, by the University of Queensland's Centre for Policy Futures from 26-28 September, in conjunction with the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, BIEN Australia,...

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Message to BIEN Supporters from BIEN’s Chair

Message to BIEN Supporters from BIEN’s Chair

The confluence of multiple contemporary crises has made a Basic Income an achievable goal and made BIEN more important than ever. Discussions and policy debates about Basic Income are taking place in countries across the world.  This is an incredible opportunity for...

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