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

A webinar hosted in India on the 7th August

A webinar hosted in India on the 7th August

The organisers say this about the webinar: The Web Lecture is being delivered by Professor Guy Standing, Professorial Research Associate, SOAS, University of London; Co-founder and Co-President, Basic Income Earth Network and Former Director of ILO's Socio-Economic...

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The third Basic Income Conversation

The third Basic Income Conversation

BIEN has published its third Basic Income Conversation, this time about Brazil. In this conversation, Lena Lavinas and Leandro Ferreira debate the Covid pandemic, Brazil's response, and their relationship to the Basic Income debate. https://youtu.be/IfD7DbrDieA

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An analysis of a Basic Income scheme proposed for the UK

An analysis of a Basic Income scheme proposed for the UK

There is a translation of this article in French. Karl Widerquist and Georg Arndt have written an article in which they evaluate a particular Basic Income scheme for the UK: 'The Cost of Basic Income in the United Kingdom: A Microsimulation Analysis’ The article can...

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Basic Income Week: Freedom to Choose

Basic Income Week: Freedom to Choose

September 14, 2020, is the kickoff day for the 13th International Basic Income Week (IBIW). Our goal is to have a coordinated global effort and a big presence in many countries. As the banner indicates, this year's motto will be ‘Freedom to Choose’. 2020 has presented...

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UN Secretary General proposes Basic Income

UN Secretary General proposes Basic Income

There is a translation of this article into French. On the 18th July the Secretary General of the United Nations gave the annual Nelson Mandela Lecture. People want social and economic systems that work for everyone. They want their human rights and fundamental...

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South Africa: A talk by Guy Standing

South Africa: A talk by Guy Standing

On the 30th July Guy Standing will be addressing a zoom meeting hosted in South Africa on the subject The case for a Basic Income in a time of pandemics. Registration details can be found below.

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Another video: The case for Basic Income

Another video: The case for Basic Income

The website 'The case for Basic Income' has published a video of the same name. To visit the website, go to ubi.org; and to contact the publisher, geoff.crocker@ubi.org https://youtu.be/O-rlGQC-AJ4

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Brazil: COVID-19, UBI, and ultraliberalism

Brazil: COVID-19, UBI, and ultraliberalism

The idea of a UBI was galvanized when governments promptly decided to extend the amount, coverage, and length of different sorts of monetary transfers to confront the gravity of the multiple crises created by the COVID-19 outbreak.

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Canadian artists call for an income guarantee

Canadian artists call for an income guarantee

75,000 artists have signed a letter calling on the Canadian government to implement an income guarantee. We, the undersigned, are calling upon the Government of Canada to honour itscommitment to poverty reduction and instate a Basic Income Guarantee tomake a historic...

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