Universal Basic Income (UBI) for a Culture of Peace, ECI-UBI

Comprehensive analysis of Universal Basic Income (UBI): history, research, implementation, and future in the AI era

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What is Universal Basic Income?

Universal Basic Income (UBI) represents one of the most discussed economic policies of recent decades. This article explores UBI’s history, implementation, results from various pilots, key organizations, and political support worldwide.

Universal Basic Income is a program where citizens or residents receive regular financial payments unconditionally, regardless of their work status or income level. Key characteristics include:

  • Universality: Distributed to all members of a community
  • Unconditional: No work requirements or means testing
  • Regular: Paid at consistent intervals
  • Cash-based: Recipients choose how to spend the money
  • Individual: Payments go to individuals, not households

Women's Empowerment and Gender Equality through UBI

Women's Empowerment through Universal Basic Income advances Gender Equality by providing financial independence for all.

South Korea’s UBI President is a Green Light for the Rest of Us

One leader is making the case that the value of nature and technology should be broadly shared to raise living standards and shorten workweeks. It’s a winning message our own leaders could adopt.
> ubiworks.ca/blog/south-koreas-ubi-president

Historical Roots

The concept of providing citizens with regular stipends has deep historical roots:

Early Ideas (16th-19th Centuries)

Thomas More first hinted at the concept in “Utopia” (1516), suggesting providing everyone with “means of livelihood.” Later, Thomas Paine proposed a system of payments in his 1797 pamphlet “Agrarian Justice,” arguing for a one-time payment to all citizens upon reaching adulthood. [1]

During the 19th century, philosophers like Charles Fourier advocated for a guaranteed minimum income. His contemporary, Joseph Charlier, proposed a “territorial dividend” – perhaps the first true UBI proposal. [2]

20th Century Developments

The idea gained momentum in the mid-20th century. Martin Luther King Jr. supported guaranteed income in his 1967 book “Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?” Economist Milton Friedman proposed a negative income tax in the 1960s, a concept related to UBI. [3]

The 1970s saw several North American experiments with guaranteed income programs in places like Manitoba, Canada (the “Mincome” experiment), and several U.S. states including New Jersey and Seattle. [4]

Major UBI Experiments and Implementations

Alaska Permanent Fund (1982-Present)

The Alaska Permanent Fund pays annual dividends to all Alaskan residents from oil revenues. While not sufficient for subsistence, this represents America’s longest-running program resembling UBI. [5]

  • Annual payments: Between $1,000-$2,000 per person
  • Results: Research shows the program doesn’t discourage work and has reduced poverty

Finnish Experiment (2017-2018)

Finland conducted a two-year randomized controlled trial with 2,000 unemployed citizens receiving €560 monthly with no strings attached. [6]

  • Results: Recipients reported improved well-being, slightly better employment outcomes, and enhanced financial security
  • Health benefits: Participants experienced less mental strain and depression

GiveDirectly’s Kenya Study (2016-Present)

One of the largest and longest UBI experiments covers 21,000 people across 197 villages with some receiving payments for 12 years. [7]

  • Long-term design: Different villages receive varying payment structures
  • Initial findings: Increased economic activity, business creation, and food security without increases in alcohol consumption

Ontario Basic Income Pilot (2017-2019)

The Canadian province enrolled 4,000 low-income individuals to receive up to $17,000 annually (less 50% of earned income). [8]

  • Prematurely terminated: A new provincial government canceled the program
  • Preliminary findings: Participants reported better health outcomes and increased education participation

South Korea’s Youth Dividend

The city of Seongnam implemented a youth dividend in 2016, providing quarterly payments to all 24-year-old residents. [9]

  • Payment structure: 250,000 won (~$200) quarterly
  • Economic benefits: Local economic stimulus with 52% of funds spent locally

Stockton Economic Empowerment Demonstration (SEED) (2019-2021)

This California program gave 125 residents $500 monthly for 24 months. [10]

  • Results: Recipients found full-time employment at higher rates than control groups
  • Money use: Participants primarily spent money on necessities, challenging misconceptions about cash transfers

Key Organizations and Advocates
Organizations

Basic Income Earth Network (BIEN): Founded in 1986, BIEN serves as the primary international organization promoting UBI research and implementation.
basicincome.org

Unconditional Basic Income Europe (UBIE): A network of activists and organizations working to implement UBI across Europe through policy advocacy, education, and research coordination.
ubie.org

Economic Security Project: Co-chaired by Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes, this organization funds UBI experiments and research in the United States.
economicsecurityproject.org

GiveDirectly: Pioneering direct cash transfer programs in developing countries, particularly in Kenya and Uganda.
givedirectly.org

Universal Income Project: Works to expand support for UBI in the United States through education and community building.
universalincome.org

Stanford Basic Income Lab: Academic research center studying UBI implementation and outcomes.
basicincome.stanford.edu

Notable Advocates

Guy Standing: British professor and co-founder of BIEN who popularized the concept of the “precariat” class. [11]

Philippe Van Parijs: Belgian philosopher and political economist who wrote extensively on UBI as a matter of social justice. [12]

Rutger Bregman: Dutch historian and author of “Utopia for Realists,” which advocates for UBI. [13]

Andrew Yang: American entrepreneur who centered his 2020 presidential campaign on UBI (which he called the “Freedom Dividend”). [14]

Pope Francis: Has expressed support for basic income concepts during the COVID-19 pandemic. [15]

Political Support Worldwide

North America

United States: Support crosses political lines but remains stronger among progressive Democrats. Andrew Yang’s presidential campaign raised UBI awareness significantly. [16]
Canada: The Liberal Party has explored basic income policies. Provincial tests gained support from multiple parties but faced conservative opposition. [17]

Europe

Spain: Implemented a Minimum Vital Income program in 2020, approaching UBI principles. [18]
Finland: The Centre Party led the Finnish experiment, with support from across the political spectrum. [19]
Germany: Die Linke (The Left) and parts of the Green Party support UBI initiatives. [20]
United Kingdom: The Green Party endorses UBI, while Labour has shown increasing interest. [21]

Asia

South Korea: The Democratic Party has implemented youth dividend programs. [22]
India: Tried pilot programs in Madhya Pradesh with support from multiple parties. [23]

Common Arguments About UBI

Supporters Argue

  • Addresses technological unemployment and automation challenges
  • Reduces poverty and economic inequality more effectively than targeted programs
  • Eliminates welfare traps that penalize work
  • Recognizes unpaid work (caregiving, volunteering)
  • Promotes entrepreneurship by providing financial security
  • Simplifies welfare administration

Critics Contend

  • Costs would be prohibitively high
  • Might reduce workforce participation
  • Could cause inflation
  • Resources better used for targeted assistance
  • Undermines work ethic
    Politically difficult to implement

Economic Evidence and Data

Research from UBI experiments has yielded important insights:

  • Work effects: Little evidence of work reduction in most studies; some show increased entrepreneurship [24]
  • Health outcomes: Consistent improvements in mental health and stress reduction [25]
  • Education: Increased school attendance and educational attainment [26]
  • Economic effects: Local multiplier effects when money stays in communities [27]
  • Administrative efficiency: Potential savings from reduced bureaucracy [28]

Major Research Reports and Studies

Landmark UBI Research

  1. “Universal Basic Income: A Review of the Evidence” (2019) – The Overseas Development Institute examined evidence from 165 studies, finding positive impacts across multiple dimensions.
    cdn.odi.org/media/documents/12959.pdf [29]
  2. “A Critical Review of Universal Basic Income Proposals” (2018) – The International Labour Organization assessed UBI feasibility across different contexts.
    ilo.org/wcms_648849.pdf [30]
  3. “Basic Income as a Policy Option: Technical Background Note” (2017) – The OECD analyzed the fiscal and distributional effects of basic income schemes.
    oecd.org/els/emp/Basic-Income-Policy-Option-2017.pdf [31]
  4. “Exploring Universal Basic Income: A Guide to Navigating Concepts, Evidence, and Practices” (2020) – The World Bank’s comprehensive analysis of UBI implementation considerations.
    openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/3267732
  5. “The Finnish Basic Income Experiment 2017–2018: Results” (2020) – Official final report on Finland’s landmark experiment.
    julkaisut.valtioneuvosto.fi/handle/10024/16221933

UN Research

  1. “Universal Basic Income: A Working Paper” (2018) – The UNDP analyzed UBI as a potential solution for sustainable development challenges.
    undp.org/publications/universal-basic-income-working-paper [34]
  2. “Temporary Basic Income (TBI): Protecting Poor and Vulnerable People in Developing Countries” (2020) – UNDP research on emergency basic income during crises.
    undp.org/publications/temporary-basic-income-tbi-protecting-poor-and-vulnerable-people-developing-countries [35]
  3. “The Next Frontier: Human Development and the Anthropocene” (2020) – UNDP Human Development Report discussing UBI as a response to technological disruption.
    hdr.undp.org/en/2020-report [36]

COVID-19 and UBI

The pandemic dramatically increased interest in UBI as governments worldwide implemented emergency cash payment programs. Notable developments:

  • United States: Economic Impact Payments resembled temporary UBI [37]
  • Spain: Accelerated implementation of its Minimum Vital Income [38]
  • Japan, South Korea, and Singapore: Distributed one-time universal payments [39]
  • Brazil: Expanded Bolsa Família program during the crisis [40]

Automation, AI, and UBI

The accelerating pace of automation and artificial intelligence development has become a central driver in UBI discussions:

AI and Job Displacement

Research indicates AI and automation will transform labor markets significantly:

  • A 2023 Goldman Sachs report estimated AI could automate tasks equivalent to 300 million full-time jobs globally [41]
  • The McKinsey Global Institute projected up to 375 million workers (14% of the global workforce) may need to switch occupational categories by 2030 due to automation [42]
  • A 2023 study by OpenAI and the University of Pennsylvania found that approximately 80% of the U.S. workforce could have at least 10% of their work tasks affected by large language models [43]

UBI as a Response

Several key reasons UBI has gained traction as a potential response to AI-driven economic change:

  • Income decoupling: As traditional employment becomes less stable in an automated economy, UBI provides income security independent of labor market participation [44]
  • Transition support: UBI could help workers during career transitions necessitated by technological displacement [45]
  • Distributing AI gains: UBI has been proposed as a mechanism to distribute economic benefits generated by AI and automation more broadly [46]
  • Supporting unpaid work: As automation changes the value of different types of labor, UBI recognizes and supports socially valuable unpaid work [47]

Notable AI and UBI Initiatives

  • OpenAI co-founder Sam Altman proposed “American Equity” – a UBI program funded through a tax on AI companies and land [48]
  • The European Parliament has discussed UBI specifically in the context of AI-driven job displacement [49]
  • The AI Now Institute has recommended exploring UBI as part of broader policy responses to technological change [50]

How UBI contributes to UNESCO’s Global Movement for a Culture of Peace

Universal Basic Income (UBI) directly supports several pillars of UNESCO’s Culture of Peace framework through its multidimensional impacts on society.

At its core, UNESCO’s movement envisions peace beyond the absence of conflict—it promotes positive conditions where human dignity flourishes. UBI contributes to this vision in several ways:

Economic security and reduced violence: By providing financial stability, UBI reduces economic desperation that often drives conflict. Research from cash transfer programs shows decreased domestic violence, crime rates, and community tensions when basic needs are met. The predictability of income allows people to plan beyond immediate survival needs.

Social justice and equality: UBI addresses structural inequalities by providing a floor of economic security for all citizens regardless of background. This aligns with UNESCO’s emphasis on fostering social cohesion and resolving inequalities that fuel tensions. By recognizing everyone’s right to basic subsistence, UBI affirms human dignity as a universal value.

Democratic participation: Economic insecurity often prevents meaningful civic engagement. UBI can enhance democratic participation by giving people time and resources to engage in community-building and political processes. Research from basic income pilots shows increased social trust and community involvement among recipients.

Human rights realization: UNESCO’s peace framework emphasizes human rights as foundational. UBI supports economic and social rights, particularly the right to an adequate standard of living found in Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Education access: Families receiving UBI show increased educational investment for children. Additionally, UBI supports lifelong learning and reskilling—crucial elements of UNESCO’s educational mission for promoting tolerance and understanding.

Sustainable development: By decoupling basic survival from environmentally harmful economic activities, UBI could promote more sustainable choices. This supports UNESCO’s integration of environmental sustainability within its peace framework.

Women’s empowerment: UBI particularly benefits women by recognizing unpaid care work, providing economic independence, and increasing negotiating power within households—all essential elements of gender equality prioritized in UNESCO’s peace agenda.
UBI represents a structural approach to peacebuilding through addressing root causes of tension rather than symptoms. While not a complete solution, it creates favorable conditions for the cultural transformation UNESCO envisions—where peace becomes embedded in social structures and human relationships.

Looking Forward

UBI continues to gain attention as societies grapple with technological change, economic inequality, and labor market transformation. Several developments suggest its growing relevance:

The automation of jobs across sectors increases pressure for new economic security models. Artificial intelligence advancements may accelerate this trend, as AI systems increasingly can perform cognitive tasks once considered uniquely human. Climate change adaptation may require economic transition support for affected workers and communities. Growing wealth inequality creates political pressure for redistributive policies.

Future research will need to address scaling questions, optimal funding mechanisms, and long-term economic effects. The ideal UBI amount, implementation methods, and compatibility with existing social programs remain active areas of study.

Pilot programs continue to emerge globally, with Scotland, Wales, and several U.S. cities planning or implementing new experiments. Multiple countries are considering national-level programs adapted to their specific contexts.

UBI represents not just an economic policy but a philosophical shift in how societies view work, citizenship, and human dignity. As automation and AI advance and traditional employment changes, UBI may transition from experimental to essential in addressing 21st-century economic challenges.

Whether UBI becomes widespread depends on political will, economic feasibility studies, and continued evidence from experimental implementations. What’s certain is that the conversation about unconditional cash transfers has permanently entered mainstream economic policy discussions worldwide.

References

  1. Paine, T. (1797). Agrarian Justice. Digital Edition, 2009, ssa.gov/history/paine4.html
  2. Cunliffe, J., & Erreygers, G. (2003). ‘Basic Income? Basic Capital!’ Origins and Issues of a Debate. Journal of Political Philosophy, 11(1), 89-110.
  3. Friedman, M. (1962). Capitalism and Freedom. University of Chicago Press.
  4. Forget, E. L. (2011). The Town with No Poverty: The Health Effects of a Canadian Guaranteed Annual Income Field Experiment. Canadian Public Policy, 37(3), 283-305.
  5. Jones, D., & Marinescu, I. (2018). The Labor Market Impacts of Universal and Permanent Cash Transfers: Evidence from the Alaska Permanent Fund. NBER Working Paper No. 24312.
  6. Kangas, O., Jauhiainen, S., Simanainen, M., & Ylikännö, M. (2019). The Basic Income Experiment 2017–2018 in Finland: Preliminary Results. Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, Finland.
  7. Haushofer, J., & Shapiro, J. (2016). The Short-term Impact of Unconditional Cash Transfers to the Poor: Experimental Evidence from Kenya. Quarterly Journal of Economics, 131(4), 1973-2042.
  8. Basic Income Canada Network. (2019). Signposts to Success: Ontario’s Basic Income Pilot. assets.website-files.com/Signposts%20to%20Success.pdf
  9. Kim, J. (2020). Local Youth Basic Income’s Effect on Young Adults’ Political Efficacy and Participation. Basic Income Studies, 15(2), 1-21.
  10. West, S., Castro Baker, A., Samra, S., & Coltrera, E. (2021). Preliminary Analysis: SEED’s First Year. Stockton Economic Empowerment Demonstration. static1.squarespace.com/SEEDs+First+Year_Final+Report_Individual+Pages+-2.pdf
  11. Standing, G. (2017). Basic Income: And How We Can Make It Happen. Penguin UK.
  12. Van Parijs, P., & Vanderborght, Y. (2017). Basic Income: A Radical Proposal for a Free Society and a Sane Economy. Harvard University Press.
  13. Bregman, R. (2017). Utopia for Realists: And How We Can Get There. Bloomsbury Publishing.
  14. Yang, A. (2018). The War on Normal People: The Truth About America’s Disappearing Jobs and Why Universal Basic Income Is Our Future. Hachette Books.
  15. Wooden, C. (2020, April 12). Pope Francis says universal basic wage could help spread work and benefits. Catholic News Service. catholicnews.com/pope-francis-says-universal-basic-wage-could-help-spread-work-and-benefits/
  16. Bidadanure, J., Clegg, S., & De Wispelaere, J. (2023). Basic Income in American Politics: A New Hope. Policy & Politics, 51(1), 37-55.
  17. Green, D., Hoynes, H., & Koebel, K. (2021). The Great Disconnect: The Decline in Economic Security and the Rise of Basic Income Advocacy in Canada. Canadian Public Policy, 47(2), 227-247.
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  20. Cooke, R. (2019). Universal Basic Income and the Left: A Pathway to Evolution or Revolution? The Political Quarterly, 90(4), 743-751.
  21. Martinelli, L. (2017). Assessing the Case for a Universal Basic Income in the UK. IPR Policy Brief, University of Bath.
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  24. Gilbert, R., Murphy, N. A., Stepka, A., Barrett, M., & Worku, D. (2018). Would a Basic Income Guarantee Reduce the Motivation to Work? An Analysis of Labor Market Behavior in International Experiments. Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare, 45(1), 3-25.
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Women's Empowerment and Gender Equality through UBI

Women's Empowerment through Universal Basic Income advances Gender Equality by providing financial independence for all.