Basic Income: An Instrument for Transformation in the Twenty-First Century

Abstract

This paper argues a basic income system could transform the means of income redistribution and social empowerment in society, and move us decisively towards the egalitarian principle of giving everyone equal access to the conditions to live a flourishing life. Basic income is a universal non-conditional payment, paid at the same level to everyone regardless of income or wealth. The paper considers basic income as a transformative strategy from a number of perspectives: economic, social, cultural and environmental, and then considers basic income as an alternative and transformative idea for Ireland. It presents three potential pathways in which it could be implemented and elaborates and provides full costings on how one such proposal could be funded and concludes it is affordable, feasible and politically viable in Ireland today.

Analysing the impacts of Universal Basic Income in the changing world of work: Challenges to the psychological contract and a future research agenda

“…As previously stated, it provides a bulwark against ‘Industry 4.0’ and the buffering likely to be caused by the displacement of jobs by changes in technology and allied ways of working (Susskind, 2020). It offers the space to engage in different forms of work that are not financially rewarded by the market, such as volunteering (Healy et al., 2013). UBI is also argued to increase work incentives by reducing the risk of losing benefits once entering paid employment.…”

“…are not financially rewarded by the market, such as volunteering (Healy et al, 2013). UBI is also argued to increase work incentives by reducing the risk of losing benefits once entering paid employment.…”

“…For employers and especially those seeking to set up their own business, it assists entrepreneurial risk‐taking and self‐employment (Ortiz et al., 2018). For its supporters on the political right, it would reduce the administrative costs and complexities of existing social protection schemes (Healy et al., 2013), streamlining and limiting government expenditures and welfare programmes. For those with more ‘collectively oriented’ politics, UBI is argued to heighten social solidarity: overcoming some of the erosions caused by competition and excessive individualism by sharing the benefits of national, public wealth created over the nation's collective history (Standing, 2019).…”

A Universal Basic Income in the Superstar (Digital) Economy

“…The conventional answer is through direct taxation. There have been some costed models produced by economists, with Healy, Murphy and Reynolds (2013) calculating that the introduction of a relatively generous basic income in Ireland would require a flat income tax at the rate of 45%. Estimates for its introduction into the US economy point to a much greater largesse.…”

The basic income: Initiating the needed discussion in industrial, work, and organizational psychology

“…The intense public interest in the BI is mirrored by a lively academic discourse on the BI in many disciplines such as business (e.g., Nooteboom, 1987), economics (e.g., Hum & Simpson, 1993;Jackson, 1999), history (e.g., Cunliffe & Erreygers, 2001;King & Marangos, 2006), philosophy (e.g., Barry, 1996;Quinn, 1994), political sciences (e.g., De Wispelaere, 2016Jordan, 2011), and sociology (e.g., Healy et al, 2013;McKay & Vanevery, 2000). However, there has hardly been any resonance related to the BI in psychology.…”