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

We’ll need universal basic income – AI ‘godfather’

We’ll need universal basic income – AI ‘godfather’

Photo by Possessed Photography on Unsplash "The computer scientist regarded as the “godfather of artificial intelligence” says the government will have to establish a universal basic income to deal with the impact of AI on inequality. Professor Geoffrey Hinton told...

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11 U.S. states with guaranteed basic-income programs

11 U.S. states with guaranteed basic-income programs

Photo by Ioann-Mark Kuznietsov on Unsplash Note: These pilot programs do not meet BIEN's definition of basic income. "Ingrid Sullivan, 48, used her cash from the San Antonio guaranteed basic-income program to rent a home where her grandchildren can play in the yard....

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Free cash programs spread in the United States

Free cash programs spread in the United States

"Across the country, city-led guaranteed income programs are delivering unrestricted payments to struggling households, including those ineligible for other aid. Conservative critics are pushing back. By J.J. McCorvey Just weeks after Kiki Ramos received her first...

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Emergency basic income: Distraction or opportunity

Emergency basic income: Distraction or opportunity

"This themed issue, guest-edited by Jurgen De Wispelaere and Troy Henderson, is devoted to examining, first, whether the widespread use of immediate and unconditional cash transfers as a policy response to the socioeconomic impacts of the COVID-19 crisis has provided...

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Money as Medicine – New England Journal of Medicine

Money as Medicine – New England Journal of Medicine

Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash An article by Eric Reinhart, M.D. has been published this month. Teaser: "What the expanded child tax credit essentially did, at a cost of $128 billion over 1 year (less than 2% of the federal budget, 3% of 2023 U.S. health care...

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Seattle Pilot doubles employment rates

Seattle Pilot doubles employment rates

Photo by Darpan on Unsplash Note: Like many pilot programs, this one does not meet the BIEN definition of basic income because it is not universal for residents in its geographic region. "A Seattle-area guaranteed basic income pilot gave low-income residents $500 a...

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