--Does the idea of a basic income provided by the state and given to all long-term residents and citizens sound like a sensible and fair solution to make life good and more secure? Would a basic income help solve the inequalities of the current income distribution globally? Should we all benefit from a guaranteed basic income from society’s wealth and resources? Surely, it would be liberating if a basic income covered our basic needs, and we could choose how many hours we worked in paid employment. Guy Standing, an expert on the subject, addresses these questions in the comprehensive and readable book Basic Income: And How We Can Make It Happen (2017). Standing provides a working definition of basic income: ‘a modest amount of money paid unconditionally to individuals on a regular basis (for example monthly). It is often called a universal basic income (UBI) because it is intended to be paid to all’ (p. 3).
--Early on, it is necessary to clarify that basic income is not a welfare payment or intended to replace welfare benefits. It is a separate payment designed to ensure and raise living standards and generate new opportunities for human growth. Standing’s book evaluates the political, social, economic, ethical and personal factors related to the basic income model. The author says: ‘The book is intended to guide the reader through the arguments for and against the introduction of a basic income as a right, paid in cash (or equivalent) to all individuals regardless of age, gender, marital status, work status and work history’ (p. xii).
--The study of basic income is critical because, in the twenty-first century, a growing number of citizens of developed countries face economic challenges regarding their basic financial needs, such as affordable housing, food prices, utility bills, and transport costs. It creates stress and anxiety in people, diminishing their quality of life. The economic and social certainties of generations living between the 1950s and the mid-2000s have been replaced by the uncertainties emanating from ideologically-driven neoliberal government policies, globalisation, the 2007 to 2008 world recession, technological developments, housing shortages, the zero-hour contract culture and the growth of the precariat class. People would welcome the reassurance of a basic income paid to all residents regardless of employment status, wealth, or other social and economic factors.
--Standing has investigated the supporting arguments and counter-arguments and the strengths and weaknesses of the basic income model. Basic Income is one key output. The book contains twelve chapters, starting with defining basic income and its historical origins (including Thomas More’s Utopia and Thomas Paine’s ideas, see Chapter One). Chapters Two to Four unpack the reasoning behind basic income to advance social justice and freedom and reduce inequality and insecurity. Chapter Five looks at the economics of basic income, while Chapter Six explores the objections to it. Chapter Seven discusses its cost, Chapter Eight outlines its impact on work and labour practices, and Chapter Nine traces alternatives to it. Chapters Ten to Twelve examine basic income and international development, pilot schemes, and the political challenges it faces.
--How can we make it happen? Two chapters (11 and 12) address this question directly. Reviews of basic income projects and pilot schemes (worldwide) are noted in Chapter Eleven. Standing comments that initiatives and pilot schemes have increased, operating in all continents (from China to Iceland and Finland to Argentina). Initiatives aim to raise public awareness, influence politicians, promote the movement (The Basic Income Earth Network, BIEN, established 1986), and analyse the outcomes of initiatives and pilot schemes. The essence of basic income needs reporting clearly so that the public and the media understand the message that, in the face of twenty-first-century social and economic transformations, a new way to promote freedom, social justice and economic security is achievable. Likewise, Standing says the message needs to highlight that basic income is universal, unconditional and individual. Basic income does replace the welfare state.
--Chapter Twelve summarises the political challenges faced by advocates of basic income supporters and how to bring its opponents (some libertarians, conservatives and communists) to its side. Standing remarks that mainstream political parties in the West are beginning to show interest in basic income, and opinion polls show the public has a growing understanding of basic income. The key to the success of basic income is that it needs to be affordable and not reduce labour and the workforce available. Standing discusses ‘transition obstacles’ and ways to promote basic income in society prior to its future implementation. Equally as important is Standing’s explanation about who pays for basic income and which industries and economic sectors in society will pay for it through taxation. The society’s wealth generated from land, rent, industry, finance and intellectual endeavours is the source of budget for basic income.
--The content of Standing’s Basic Income is an antidote to the financial concerns a significant number of people feel due to the increased cost of living and associated social issues that governments are unwilling or unable to fund and fix (affordable homes, transport, healthcare and pensions). It is the case from the Americas to Europe and Africa to Asia. (Meanwhile, the rich one per cent own nearly 25 per cent of the world’s wealth.) The negative impact of financial insecurity and hardship on mental and physical health and family and friendship relationships is a reality. Standing’s book is well-researched and concise. It manages to reach out to all readers to make them think about how their and others’ lives might be better in numerous practical and creative ways – appreciating beauty in life, acquiring knowledge, and nurturing friendships – if governments implemented the basic income model. ( )

This book gives an amazingly readable history of the idea of Universal Basic Income and leaves one convinced that this is an idea whose time will come very soon.

Mr Standing does not exaggerate, or pull punches: the entire concept is set out clearly, and with an eye for the facts. It seems, at first, to be a foolish idea, that people should be paid for, effectively, doing nothing but, this book shows that capitalism needs customers as badly as it does entrepreneurs. In a wonderfully ironic paradox, the system crushes the little man but, cannot survive without him.

The Green Party of England and Wales is the only British political party looking at this scheme seriously but, as is always the case, overseas governments are on the verge of stealing a march upon us.

Watch this space for the start of political debate. ( )