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

Portugal: Conference on pilot projects in July

Portugal: Conference on pilot projects in July

From the 1st to the 3rd of July, 2020, at the University of Minho (Braga, Portugal), a conference on Basic Income experiments will occur, focused on its political and social policy implications. From the conference website it can be read: The debate about basic income...

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London, UK: The Ethics of UBI in a Changing Economy

The Ethics of UBI in a Changing Economy King's College London London, UK, April 24, 2020 Submission link: https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=eubi1 Abstract registration deadline: February 28, 2020 Submission deadline: February 28, 2020 Final paper submission:...

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19th BIEN Congress: Videos from plenary sessions

19th BIEN Congress: Videos from plenary sessions

The Basic Income Earth Network's latest Congress has taken place at Hyderabad, India, on the 22-26th August 2019. Now, the videos of all the plenary sessions are online and available for viewing. More information at: BIEN CONGRESS 2019 webpage    ...

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New book: Exploring Universal Basic Income

New book: Exploring Universal Basic Income

The full title is "Exploring Universal Basic Income: A Guide to Navigating Concepts, Evidence, and Practices", and it's the most recent publishing of the World Bank on the specific issue of basic income, by the hands of editors Ugo Gentilini, Margaret Grosh, Jamele...

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United Kingdom: Lib Dem candidates back basic income pilots

United Kingdom: Lib Dem candidates back basic income pilots

Jane Dodds and Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson. Picture credit to: The Week Over fifty candidates for the UK’s Liberal Democrat party (Lib Dem) have signed a personal commitment to back basic income pilots in the next parliament, if elected. The intention to run...

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