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

Results from the Stockton experiment

Results from the Stockton experiment

The New Yorker has reported on the results of the experiment in Stockton, where five hundred individuals randomly selected from the city's most deprived districts have been receiving US$100 per month unconditionally. ... For example, during the pandemic, the...

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Prospect magazine top fifty thinkers

Prospect magazine top fifty thinkers

Philippe Van Parijs has been nominated by Prospect Magazine (UK) as one of the top fifty thinkers for the COVID-19 age. To vote for 'the godfather of the UBI movement', as Prospect Magazine puts it, click here.

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Namibia – UBI success and institutional failure

Namibia – UBI success and institutional failure

1. Namibia - country background A South West African state with a troublesome colonial history, Namibia has a population of around 2,5 million people and is one of the least populated countries in Africa due to its extremely dry climate. The country is rich in natural...

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A new video from the Green European Foundation

A new video from the Green European Foundation

On the 13th July the Green European Foundation published a video, Universal Basic Income for Europe: A recipe for resilience. Can Universal Basic Income be a possible remedy to the COVID-19 crisis? Watch this video to find out! The video was produced by the Green...

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USA: Open letter signed by 150 economists

USA: Open letter signed by 150 economists

There is a translation of this article into French 150 economists in the United States have signed an open letter that asks for “Direct cash payments are an essential tool that will boost economic security, drive consumer spending, hasten the recovery, and promote...

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A new video from Massive Attack

A new video from Massive Attack

On the 10th July 2020 Massive Attack published a video featuring Young Fathers (Massive Attack's 'younger brother'), Algiers, and Saul Williams, and featuring Guy Standing talking about Basic Income. The music is taken from the Eutopia EP and is written and produced...

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Belgium’s chance for a welfare system revision

Belgium’s chance for a welfare system revision

Like almost every European country, Belgium is facing declining trends of confirmed coronavirus cases. Its government is now looking for a balance between maintaining physical and mental health and restarting the economy. Nevertheless, Prime Minister Sophie Wilmes...

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An article on Basic Income funded by sovereign money

An article on Basic Income funded by sovereign money

Geoff Crocker has published an article in the Real-world economic review: 'Inequality and the case for UBI funded by sovereign money' The current economic system is generating increasing inter-personal inequality in income and wealth. This is well documented by...

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The UK: A Summer discussion series

The UK: A Summer discussion series

The Basic Income Conversation is launching a Summer Discussion Series on Basic Income. It's a 3 part series that explores the Future of Work, Pilots, and Monetary Financing - some of the most talked about subjects when it comes to UBI. The first event is...

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The UK considers universal vouchers

The Guardian newspaper reports that the UK Treasury is considering sending vouchers to everyone to spend on a range of goods. This would not be a Basic Income, but it shares some of its characteristics and would be an interesting experiment to watch. Radical plans to...

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Los Angeles and Atlanta plan to test Basic Income

Los Angeles and Atlanta plan to test Basic Income

Rachel Sandler has written an article for the Forbes website about an increasing number of US cities planning to establish Basic Income pilot projects. The mayors of Los Angeles; Oakland, California; Atlanta, Georgia; Tacoma, Washington, Newark, New Jersey; Saint...

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