Ailsa McKay Glasgow Caledonian University Arguing for a Citizen’s Basic Income A Question of Values? Scotland’s Futures Forum Scottish Parliament 3rd April 2008

Ailsa McKay Glasgow Caledonian University A Definition A basic income is an income unconditionally paid to all on an individual basis, without means test or work requirement. In other words, it is a form of minimum income guarantee that differs from those that now exist in various European countries by virtue of the fact that it is paid; 1. to individuals rather than households; 2. irrespective of any income from other sources; and 3. without referring any present or past work performance, or the willingness to accept a job if offered. (Phillippe Van Parijs, Arguing for a Basic Income:Ethical Foundations for a Radical Reform, 1992, pp 3-4)

Ailsa McKay Glasgow Caledonian University For Integration of the tax/benefit system - ease of administration End of poverty and unemployment traps An effective anti-poverty strategy? Promotes greater choice/opportunity and enhances labour market flexibility Yet remains a radical proposal……

Ailsa McKay Glasgow Caledonian University Against Costs? Work incentives/disincentives? Paying people in exchange for what is ‘perceived’ to be doing nothing is highly unlikely given the value modern society attaches to work. This leads to dominant focus in literature on analysing the tve effects a CBI has on labour market participation rates.

Ailsa McKay Glasgow Caledonian University A CBI and Paid Work: Identifying Bias Arguing for a CBI in this context: –labour market is primary source of economic and social well being –preserving the traditional work and pay relationship –individual welfare best promoted via the structures and processes directly associated with world of paid work. Two routes in arguing for CBI Commodification Route Non-Commodification Route

Ailsa McKay Glasgow Caledonian University What a CBI can do - Not what it should do Locating the CBI proposal Historically - established yet heterogeneous tradition of attempts at justifying some form of CBI. Contemporary - an alternative to current social security arrangements A CBI - an emancipatory measure - ‘ real freedom for all ’ Potential to promote both economic efficiency and social justice However Debate remains focused on social security reform CBI thus considered exclusively with reference to aims, purpose and outcomes associated with income maintenance measures

Ailsa McKay Glasgow Caledonian University Evidence of Bias Costs and labour market impacts dominate debate Priority given to measures designed to cut spending Focus on eliminating adverse incentives from income transfer programmes Policy proposals evaluated almost exclusively with reference to world of paid work Women and a CBI - more evidence of bias ‘Add women and stir’ approach Equal rights and equal outcomes?

Ailsa McKay Glasgow Caledonian University Moving Beyond Bias A CBI would effectively displace economic necessity to enter into paid work for many individuals Thus work incentives and what counts as ‘work’ focus of supporters of a CBI Recognition of ‘value’ of productive leisure activities …a society in which those living quietly on their citizen’s income included not only those who would find it difficult to get a paid job, but also a lot of people who have the ability to get a job but choose not to - the budding poet, the passionate bonsai-grower, the hyper- political activist. ( R.Dore ‘A Feasible Jerusalem’ The Political Quarterly 1996) Leisure activities are categorised to fit with modern notion of work and ‘socially valued’ as such. Idleness per se is condemned

Ailsa McKay Glasgow Caledonian University Commodification v’s Non Commodification The value attributed to productive activities Redistribution of ‘work’ from domestic realm to market place Those activities that do not fit neatly into the model become undervalued by society in general. Individuals pursuing those activities labeled ‘non workers/idlers’ The work women do?? Provisioning/affiliation/caring - invisible and intangible? Retort - Relationships are hard work!

Ailsa McKay Glasgow Caledonian University A Radical Proposal Reformist or Radical A CBI would encourage and support active labour market participation but is this how it should be considered? Work and income separated or divorced? Offers real freedom for all to choose between work and non-work The experience of work for many individuals is not necessarily liberating nor welfare enhancing

Ailsa McKay Glasgow Caledonian University What a CBI can achieve A CBI would allow for greater autonomy in the pursuit of individual lifer choices The question remains - Is this a desirable public policy goal?