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

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Recent News, Opinion, and Research

Canada: time for a Basic Income?

Canada: time for a Basic Income?

Canada is taking measures to face the Covid-19 pandemic. The situation requires, together with radical and fast actions in medical terms, radical and fast actions in economic and social terms. The introduction of a Basic Income has been a topic for years in Canada and...

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Cash-for-Corona in Spain

Cash-for-Corona in Spain

Cash-for-corona: why the current policy proposal being discussed in Spain has nothing to do with a universal basic income This article was updated on the 19th April 2020 Since the outbreak of coronavirus and the subsequent social and economic lockdown, there have been...

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Basic Income discussions in Chile

Basic Income discussions in Chile

Following the trend of other countries, the Chilean government announced in March an emergency package; with a one-time bonus of $60 approximately designed to cover the income loss of 60% of the most vulnerable population as well as the possibility of accessing the...

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What did Pope Francis mean on Easter Day 2020?

What did Pope Francis mean on Easter Day 2020?

On Easter Day, the 12th April 2020, Pope Francis sent a message to 'our brothers and sisters in social movements and organizations', during which he said this:  … I know that you have been excluded from the benefits of globalization. You do not enjoy the...

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Emergency Basic Income during the Coronavirus crisis

Emergency Basic Income during the Coronavirus crisis

There is a translation of this article into French. A basic income is a periodic cash payment unconditionally delivered to all on an individual basis, without means test or work requirement (BIEN's definition of Basic Income) The coronavirus pandemic is causing huge...

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