by Yannick Vanderborght | May 17, 2011 | Research
BIRNBAUM, Simon (2010), ‘Radical liberalism, Rawls and the welfare state: justifying the politics of basic income’, Critical Review of InternationalSocial and Political Philosophy, 13(4): 495-516.
In response to recent policy trends towards linking social rights moretightly to work requirements, this article argues that those sharingRawlsian commitments have good reasons to prefer a radical-liberal policy agenda with a universal basic income at its core. Compared to its main rivals in present policy debates, the politics of basic income has greater potential to promote the economic life prospects of the least advantaged in a way that provides a robust protection for the bases of social recognition and non-subservience. The argument seeks to establish that these concerns should be ascribed priority in the most plausible balancing of Rawlsian objectives and that doing so generates a strong case for basic income. As recent arguments for basic income have suggested that Rawls’ theory is insufficient to make the case for such a reform, this analysis also demonstrates that a powerful argument for basic income can be built on Rawlsian foundations alone.
Author’s email: simon.birnbaum@statsvet.su.se
by Karl Widerquist | Mar 8, 2011 | Research
The New Zealand Herald
This opinion piece suggests that an integrated basic income and flat income tax would improve new Zealand’s tax and benefit system. The author is the director of Gareth Morgan Investments, an investment manager and superannuation provider.
The article is online at:
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10710744
by Karl Widerquist | Nov 14, 2010 | Research
REYNOLDS, Brigid, HEALY, Sean, COLLINS, Micheal (eds.) (2010), The Future of the Welfare State, Dublin: Social Justice Ireland. September 2010. I.S.B.N. No: 978 1 907501 03 6; 136 pages.
This book contains four chapters: “The future of the welfare state: An overview,” by Tony Fahey; “The welfare state across selected OECD countries: How much does it really cost and how good is it in reducing poverty?” by Willem Adema; “Shaping public policy: Is there a place for values-led debate and discourse in the public sphere?” by Daniel O’Connell; and “Shaping the future of the welfare state: What are the challenges and how might they be addressed?” by Sean Healy and Brigid Reynolds. It discusses moving Ireland’s welfare state toward a basic income model. The entire book can be downloaded as a PDF online at:
https://www.socialjustice.ie/content/future-welfare-state-full-texts
by Scott Jacobsen | Feb 20, 2025 | News
Prof. David Nettle is a researcher in the Evolution and Social Cognition team at the Institut Jean Nicod, Paris, and a Professor at Northumbria University. His research spans the biological and social sciences, focusing on economic and social inequality, trust and cooperation, adversity and aging, food insecurity, and moral and political cognition. He is also interested in interdisciplinary synthesis, open science, and the application of research to public policy. His publications are freely accessible, along with an introductory R and statistics course. He has authored several books and maintains a blog on science and society.
Scott Douglas Jacobsen: How does basic income address the roots of economic inequality?
Prof. David Nettle: Basic income, under the scheme we propose, does two things.
First, it is redistributive, meaning that it brings the incomes of the poorest households much closer to the median, whilst taking from the very richest ones. It does this because we couple it with a progressive income tax. The richest households get their basic income, but it is clawed back from them through income tax. The poorest household are net gainers. Thus, basic income takes over the function of the existing welfare state in a simpler way.
To read the full interview, click here.
by Scott Jacobsen | Feb 10, 2025 | News
Dieter Althaus has been serving as the Vice President of Governmental Affairs at Magna Europe since 2011. In this role, he is responsible for managing relationships with governmental entities and overseeing corporate affairs within Europe.
Scott Douglas Jacobsen: What inspired advocacy for the “Solidarity Citizen’s Income” (Solidarisches Bürgergeld) while Minister-President of Thuringia?
Dieter Althaus: Our social system in Germany is becoming a significant problem for proper implementation due to a strong differentiation and quantitative expansion. In addition, the incentive effect for paid or voluntary work is not sufficient.
Jacobsen: How does universal basic income align with principles of the Christian Democratic Union?
Althaus: The basic principles of the solidarity society are preserved. Due to the principle of negative income tax, the system is easy to understand and it is easy to implement.
Jacobsen: What primary economic and social benefits can come from universal basic income for Germany?
Althaus: Work, paid as well as voluntary, pays off and is socially recognized. The negative income tax ensures transparent implementation.
Jacobsen: What challenges emerge from proposing the Solidarity Citizen’s Income?
Althaus: The welfare state would have to be completely rebuilt. The resulting transparent structures prevent abuse and lead to a considerable reduction in bureaucratic costs.
Jacobsen: Is the socio-economic climate in Germany more receptive to basic income since 2006?
Althaus: I do not believe that such a reform would currently be feasible in Germany.
Jacobsen: What advice is pertinent for policymakers and basic income advocates today?
Althaus: I don’t give advice. Our concept is available and could be discussed or implemented in an adapted way. The political will is not present and the potential for defamation is unfortunately great.
Jacobsen: Thank you for the opportunity and your time, Mr. Althaus.
