by Karl Widerquist | Apr 10, 2014 | Research
Karl Widerquist
ABSTRACT: This paper discusses strategies for providing a social safety net and argues that the Basic Income Grant (BIG) is the best way forward for Namibia. BIG is a regular, unconditional income given to all individuals as a right of citizenship. This paper draws on international experience from countries (such as the United States, Brazil, India, Kenya, and others) that have experimented with BIG or employed some form of cash transfer. It compares these experiences with the more traditional targeted approach, in which recipients are required to work unless they can show they are unable to work or unable to find work. It discusses the successes and weaknesses of various approaches and the pros and cons of implementing unconditional cash transfers versus targeted programs. It assesses the potential financing of a fiscally sustainable BIG and the impact of BIG on poverty and inequality for Namibia.
Karl Widerquist is an Associate Professor at SFS-Qatar, Georgetown University. He holds two doctorates—one in Political Theory from Oxford University (2006) and one in Economics from the City University of New York (1996). He was a founding editor of the journal Basic Income Studies. He has published articles in journals such as Political Studies; the Eastern Economic Journal; Politics and Society; and Politics, Philosophy, and Economics. He has published six books including: Independence, Propertylessless, and Basic Income: A theory of freedom as the power to say no (author), Basic Income: An Anthology of Contemporary Research (co-editor); and Exporting the Alaska Model: Adapting the Permanent Fund Dividend for Reform around the World.
Karl Widerquist, “The Basic Income Grant as Social Safety Net for Namibia: Experience and lessons from around the world,” in Social safety nets in Namibia: Assessing current programmes and future options, Research Department of the Bank of Namibia (editor), Windhoek, Namibia: Bank of Namibia, September 26, 2013, pp. 43-67
by Karl Widerquist | Jan 23, 2014 | Research
Equal Life Foundation, “BIG Pilot Project Namibia: a Perspective,” Living Income Guaranteed. August 26, 2013.
by Yannick Vanderborght | Oct 6, 2013 | Research
Linda with her free gifts for attending the Bank of Namibia symposium -CGE-Southern Africa
Linda Raven, an American who works in Namibia teaching visiting university students, uses this blog to discuss Karl Widerquist’s two talks on BIG in Namibia in September. Raven contrasts the two talks—one given at a symposium hosted by the central bank, the other given at a community center in a poorer area of Windhoek—and connects these contrasts to the need for BIG in Namibia.
Linda Raven, “Basic Income Grant in Namibia,” Center For Global Education-Southern Africa, Tuesday, October 1, 2013:
See also the following related stories on BI News:
Windhoek, Namibia, “Basic Income Grant: A remedy for poverty and inequality in Namibia?” 24 September 2013.
WINDHOEK, Namibia, “Social safety nets in Namibia: Assessing current programmes and future options,” September 26, 2013.
Elvis Muraranganda, “US academic wants Namibia to go BIG”
by Yannick Vanderborght | Oct 3, 2013 | Research
This article reports on Karl Widerquist’s lecture on BIG at the Bank of Namibia conference and on Social Safety Nets on September 26, 2013. The article also reports on the debate over BIG in Namibia. According to Widerquist, the quotes in the article are inaccurate, but they capture the overall message of his talk.
Elvis Muraranganda, “US academic wants Namibia to go BIG,” The Namibian Sun, Wednesday September 25, 2013.
by Yannick Vanderborght | Sep 20, 2013 | News
Karl Widerquist, Associate Professor at SFS-Q, Georgetown University, will give a public lecture entitled, “Basic Income Grant: A remedy for poverty and inequality in Namibia?” at 6:30pm on Tuesday, 24 September 2013 at the Windhoek Multipurpose Youth Centre, Auala Street, Windhoek, Namibia. The lecture is organized by the University of Namibia’s Department of Sociology and the Theological Institute for Advocacy and Research in Africa. Widerquist will speak on a related topic two days later at the Bank of Namibia’s Annual Symposium.
Karl Widerquist
Topic: Basic Income Grant: A remedy for poverty and inequality in Namibia?
Date: Time: Venue: Tuesday, 24 September 2013 18h30 Windhoek Multipurpose Youth Centre, Auala Street, Katutura (near Independence Arena)
Guest Speaker: Prof. Karl Widerquist
For further details please contact Heidi at 081 440 1194 or 235 420
