by Josh Martin | Jan 19, 2014 | Research
[Josh Martin]
In this article, O’Connor begins with an explanation of the process behind Swiss referendums as well as recent issues that triggered referendums. Particularly popular debates in Switzerland today focus on income inequality, O’Connor writes, partially because of the country’s lack of a minimum wage law while the top one percent own a third of the wealth. Switzerland will vote on a referendum within the next few years on whether or not to implement a CHF2,500 per month universal basic income. O’Connor then lists key arguments for and against the proposal.
(Via EuropeanCEO) Members of Generation Basic Income pose with eight million coins of Swiss five-cent.
Jess O’Connor, “The case for and against unconditional basic income in Switzerland,” EuropenCEO, January 10, 2014.
by Karl Widerquist | Jan 14, 2014 | News
[Michael Millar]
A discussion on Basic Income in Switzerland, Germany and Japan is taking place on the 22nd of January. Participation is free and there will be simultaneous translations of the speakers into German. The symposium starts at 0930 and ends at 1700 and the location is Alanus Hochschule, Campus II, Semi 7, Villestraße 3, 53347 Alfter, Germany.
For more information, go to: www.alanus.edu/presse0/pressemitteilungen/mitteilungen-details/details/grundeinkommen-und-demokratie-symposium-an-der-alanus-hochschule/
by Karl Widerquist | Jan 10, 2014 | Research
CBC Radio, “Switzerland considers a mandatory basic minimum income for everyone,” Project Money, CBC Radio, December 2, 2013.
Committee members use brooms to spread out five cent coins over the Federal Square during an event organized by the Committee for the initiative (Reuters/Denis Balibouse)
by Yannick Vanderborght | Dec 18, 2013 | Research
On December 18th, 2013, the BBC News published a lengthy article about the referendum on basic income to be held in Switzerland. According to the BBC, “the anger among many Swiss voters at the news that some of their biggest banks, such as UBS, had continued paying top executives huge bonuses while also reporting huge losses” played a role in facilitating the collection of signatures in favour of basic income. In this context, the author argues, “it was easy to gather the 100,000 signatures to hold the vote on universal income”. But there is still a long road ahead. In particular, “Swiss business leaders have reacted with dismay” to the basic income proposal.
The article can be read online.
by Karl Widerquist | Dec 16, 2013 | Research
Joe Baur, “How Switzerland’s Basic Income Proposal Could Both Help and Hurt the United States,” Article 3, November 18, 2013.
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