Universal Basic Income Movements

Universal Basic Income (UBI) is a social policy proposal backed by a variety of civil society organizations, social movements, advocacy networks, and, more recently, by some political parties and party members, from all sides of the ideological spectrum. UBI is hardly a new concept, but it has taken on a new life in recent years. The interest in UBI that is perceived in the public debate can be explained by structural, long-term factors such as the rise in income insecurity, increasing inequalities vis-à-vis deep socioeconomic and demographic changes, and the limitations of means-tested social assistance programs. However, the growing salience of UBI can be also attributed to the continuous efforts of various waves of activism over recent decades.