An earlier version of this article was presented at the 61st Congress of the United Kingdom Political Studies Association (PSA), London, 19-21 April 2011. We are grateful to Martin Lodge for the invitation to present our work and to the PSA audience for stimulating debate. We also acknowledge pertinent suggestions from Bettina Leibetseder and two anonymous referees.
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A disarmingly simple idea? Practical bottlenecks in the implementation of a universal basic income
Article first published online: 4 APR 2012
DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-246X.2012.01430.x
© 2012 The author(s). International Social Security Review © 2012 International Social Security Association
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How to Cite
De Wispelaere, J. and Stirton, L. (2012), A disarmingly simple idea? Practical bottlenecks in the implementation of a universal basic income. International Social Security Review, 65: 103–121. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-246X.2012.01430.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 4 APR 2012
- Article first published online: 4 APR 2012
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Keywords:
- guaranteed income;
- universal benefit scheme;
- benefit administration;
- takeup;
- international
Abstract
This article considers the implementation of a universal basic income, a neglected area in basic income research. We identify and examine three important practical bottlenecks that may prevent a basic income scheme from attaining the universal reach desired and proclaimed by its advocates: i) maintaining a population-wide cadaster of eligible claimants ensuring full takeup; ii) instituting robust modalities of payment that reach all intended beneficiaries; and iii) designing an effective oversight mechanism in a policy context that actively opposes client monitoring. We argue that the implementation of universal basic income faces unique challenges that its proponents must consider carefully.