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

Letter to Members of the European Parliament re UBI

Letter to Members of the European Parliament re UBI

You can read here a letter and its annex that we, UBI-EI (Unconditional Basic Income – European Initiative), are sending to all MEPs (Member of European Parliaments) in an attempt to steer the current EU - wide conversation about the “Minimum Income” towards a social...

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New Book on Basic Income in the World

New Book on Basic Income in the World

This book -- written by Marek Hrubec, Martin Brabec, and Marketa Minarova -- "offers an introduction to the important idea and practice of unconditional basic income, which is becoming a topic increasingly discussed not only among researchers but also among citizens...

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Basic Income Week 2022: 19-25 September

Basic Income Week 2022: 19-25 September

We are heading to the 15th International Basic Income Week. Social media appearance is here https://basicincomeweek.org/downloads2022/ Just keep the date and brainstorm about new ideas to make Basic Income enter this new era! #basicincomeweek15. Read all the details...

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Large Basic Income for Artists pilot launched in Ireland

Large Basic Income for Artists pilot launched in Ireland

On 8 September 2022, 2,000 Irish Artists and Creative Arts Workers were granted Basic Income for the Arts. This historic new scheme explores support for artists and creative practice in a 3-year pilot that provides €325 per week as part of a research project. Read the...

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A new book and report on UBI research in the UK

A new book and report on UBI research in the UK

In August, 2022, a new book and a new report on UBI research in the UK were published. The book is The macroeconomics of basic income by Zsófi Kőműves, Chris Thoung, and Jakub Zagdanski. It was published by Cambridge Trust for New Thinking in Economics and can be...

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A new book on the case for UBI in South Africa and beyond

A new book on the case for UBI in South Africa and beyond

Readers and BIEN members might be interested in a new book, IN THE BALANCE: The Case for a Universal Basic Income in South Africa and Beyond, which has just been published and is drawing good reviews.It's available from online retailers, New York University Press (for...

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BIEN: The precarious beginnings of a worldwide network

BIEN: The precarious beginnings of a worldwide network

BIEN has made a crucial contribution to the worldwide awareness of the idea of an unconditional basic income. For this to happen, perseverance was key, but also technology. Philippe Van Parijs reflects on the shaky birth of our network in this article published in The...

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Basic Income as a vote winner

Basic Income as a vote winner

Start: Tuesday, September 06, 2022 • 6:00 PM • Greenwich Mean Time : Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London (GMT+00:00) End: Tuesday, September 06, 2022 • 7:30 PM • Greenwich Mean Time : Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London (GMT+00:00). This is an online event. Register and...

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Countries that Have Tried Universal Basic Income

Universal Basic Income (UBI) is a program that provides citizens of a country with a monthly or annual stipend. It is given to individuals regardless of their employment status, income, or resources they own. The objective of Universal Basic Income is to reduce...

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Call for BIEN Members to Register for 2022 General Assembly

Call for BIEN Members to Register for 2022 General Assembly

BIEN's 2022 General Assembly will be held online, on 28 September at 1pm British Summer Time (UTC +1). We kindly ask members to register to be able to attend the GA meeting. This registration is required to ensure only members participate in BIEN's decision making by...

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