Is a Universal Basic Income the answer to an increasingly precarious job landscape? Could it bring greater financial freedom for women, tackle the issue of unpaid but essential work, cut poverty and promote greater choice? Or is it a dead-end utopian ideal that distracts from more practical and cost-effective solutions? Contributors from musician Brian Eno, think tank Demos Helsinki, innovators such as California’s Y Combinator Research and prominent academics such as Peter Beresford OBE and Baroness Ruth Lister CBE offer a variety of perspectives from across the globe on the politics and feasibility of basic income. Sharing research and insights from a variety of nations - including India, Finland, Uganda, Brazil and Canada - the collection provides a comprehensive guide to the impact this innovative idea could have on work, welfare and inequality in the 21st century.
With contributions by:
- Bruna Augusto
- Ursula Barry
- Jonathan Bartley (UK Green Party)
- Roderick Benns
- Peter Beresford OBE
- Marcus Brancaglione
- Brenton Caffin (Nesta)
- Sarath Davala
- Toby Deller
- Alexander de Roo
- Amy Downes
- Uffe Elbæk (Alternativet)
- Brian Eno
- Martin Ford
- GiveDirectly
- Ian Gough
- Dr Louise Haagh
- Olivia Hanks (Norwich Radical)
- Andrew Harrop (Fabian Society)
- Anke Hassel
- Steven Janssens (Eight)
- Soumya Kapoor Mehta
- Stewart Lansley
- Otto Lehto
- Avi Lewis
- Ruth Lister
- Caroline Lucas (UK Green Party)
- Katie McKenna
- Francine Mestrum
- Annie Miller
- Roope Mokka (Demos Helsinki)
- Chris Oestereich
- Vanessa Olorenshaw
- Anthony Painter (Royal Society of Arts, London)
- Katariina Rantanen
- Howard Reed
- Jonathan Reynolds MP
- Elizabeth Rhodes (Y Combinator)
- Eduardo Rodriguez Montemayor (INSEAD)
- The Leap Manifesto
- The ReCivitas Institute
- Dr Malcolm Torry (Citizen’s Income Trust)
- Jenna van Draanen
- Philippe van Parijs
- Karl Widerquist
- Ed Whitfield
- Matt Zwolinski
- Bruna Augusto
- Ursula Barry
- Jonathan Bartley (UK Green Party)
- Roderick Benns
- Peter Beresford OBE
- Marcus Brancaglione
- Brenton Caffin (Nesta)
- Sarath Davala
- Toby Deller
- Alexander de Roo
- Amy Downes
- Uffe Elbæk (Alternativet)
- Brian Eno
- Martin Ford
- GiveDirectly
- Ian Gough
- Dr Louise Haagh
- Olivia Hanks (Norwich Radical)
- Andrew Harrop (Fabian Society)
- Anke Hassel
- Steven Janssens (Eight)
- Soumya Kapoor Mehta
- Stewart Lansley
- Otto Lehto
- Avi Lewis
- Ruth Lister
- Caroline Lucas (UK Green Party)
- Katie McKenna
- Francine Mestrum
- Annie Miller
- Roope Mokka (Demos Helsinki)
- Chris Oestereich
- Vanessa Olorenshaw
- Anthony Painter (Royal Society of Arts, London)
- Katariina Rantanen
- Howard Reed
- Jonathan Reynolds MP
- Elizabeth Rhodes (Y Combinator)
- Eduardo Rodriguez Montemayor (INSEAD)
- The Leap Manifesto
- The ReCivitas Institute
- Dr Malcolm Torry (Citizen’s Income Trust)
- Jenna van Draanen
- Philippe van Parijs
- Karl Widerquist
- Ed Whitfield
- Matt Zwolinski
A vital contribution and guide to the growing global debate about an idea that could promote social equity, enhance dignity and boost wellbeing for all citizens.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu
A superb forensic analysis of universal basic income schemes leaving no stone unturned.
Malcolm Dean, former Guardian social policy editor
Every so often, an idea bubbles up which becomes impossible to ignore. Downes and Lansley could not be more timely in curating this urgent conversation
Tom Clark, Editor, Prospect Magazine
This wide ranging and fascinating collection of essays makes an important contribution to the growing global debate about universal basic income as a key policy instrument to address 21st century challenges.
Matthew Taylor, RSA
Dispels the gloom and sets out the foundations for a better future: read it, get behind it and make it happen!
Richard Wilkinson, author of The Spirit Level
This book offers many fresh and stimulating perspectives on basic income. It challenges us to rethink the future of our societies.
Johanna Perkiö, University of Tampere, Finland
Changes to the nature of work means that innovative thinking is urgently needed and the idea of a universal basic income has to be explored. A vital read.
Helena Kennedy QC
It's fantastic to have such a rich, multi-faceted book on the global basic income discussion. All the more welcome for not shying away from some of its harshest critics.
Barb Jacobson, Basic Income UK
An excellent overview of the basic income debate, recommended reading for anyone who wants to delve deeper into one of the most exciting ideas of our time.
Rutger Bregman, author of Utopia for Realists
An inclusive assessment that marries keen enthusiasm for UBI with fair-minded acknowledgement of its practical and political difficulties. This book will swiftly become the go-to source for all things UBI.
David Walker, co-author of Unjust Rewards, contributing editor Guardian Public
Order now
It’s Basic Income
- Published:
14 Mar 2018 - Page count:
256 pages - ISBN:
9781447343905 - Dimensions:
138 x 216 mm
Category Uncategorized
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Good to hear that more and more people are backing Basic Income, including Richard Branson.
If only companies like VirginCare paid their taxes then we would be a position where it would likely become more of a reality...

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Modern Scotland should embrace a basic income
TO celebrate the Year of Young People, every week in 2018 The National is giving a platform to young Scots. This week, 22-year-old Aberdeenshire…
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