Universal Basic Income: fundamentals, debates and possibilities

Abstract

This article reviews the main components of the Universal Basic Income proposal seeking to highlight its singularities in relation to other public policies on socioeconomics. From a broad perspective, both conceptually and historically, this study tries to see UBI’s characteristics through different lenses, debates and longer-term proposals on 4 subjects: the relationship between technological change and employment; the current urgency of a welfare state; the search for greater freedom for people; and how working is experienced in labor-based economies. On a more direct level, this article also leads to the discussion over the possible effects of a redistribution of income, the reduction of poverty, and financing measures. Additionally, some topics, such as the lack of motivation to work is highly discussed and criticized. Finally, elements about sociology and political economy referring to inquiries and conditions for its setting as a policy are also added, considering some aspects found in partial and limited experiences, which are certainly neither fully representative nor sufficient.