Basic income under criticism: utopia or necessary reform?

Basic income under criticism: utopia or necessary reform?

The topic of unconditional basic income (UBI) continues to generate lively interest and controversial discussions in society. A current initiative is testing this concept on 2,000 selected people and shows how different opinions are on this social policy measure. The research assistant at the University of Hamburg, Kai Brüggemann, brings an important point to the debate: the feasibility of the basic income is often not sufficiently examined. So why not jump into the political arena instead of dwelling on an experiment? This question is looming as the UBI threatens to fade into the background of the political agenda.

As the taz reports, the public debate increasingly revolves around the practicality of the basic concept. A basic income could be on the expenditure side of an economic calculation, while there are fierce distribution battles on the income side. Trade unions express skepticism because they see a risk of a decline in minimum wages, which are known to serve as tools to avoid exploitative working relationships.

The diversity of opinions

The discussion about UBI is not only a topic for social scientists, but also concerns important personalities from various political camps. Of the Federal Agency for Civic Education we learn that there are different views among economists: While Thomas Straubhaar classifies UBI as “radically fair,” Christoph Butterwegge sees it as “justice for no one.” These differentiated viewpoints are also reflected in the opinions of individual parties. The CDU and the AfD are negative, while the Greens and the Left Party are partly in favor of a UBI that guarantees a living wage.

Another exciting aspect is the study of the effects and experiences of participants in a three-year study on UBI, which ends on May 27, 2024. Participants like 28-year-old Dominic Schiffer report positive changes in their lives, such as an increased enjoyment of life and new professional perspectives. These reports that the daily news documented, expand the discussion to include the practical effects of a UBI. As part of this study, 1,200 euros are paid out to the participants per month, a sum that is intended to cover the socio-cultural subsistence minimum. Analyzes of the effects on people who actually do not need a basic income show that fears of carelessness and laziness are unfounded.

A look at the political landscape

Although political support for basic income is diverse, there are different approaches. The Greens are clearly positioning themselves in the basic program for a UBI, the FDP is skeptical, but wants to bundle social benefits. The SPD expresses concerns and sees the basic income as unfair to workers. No matter where you look, there is a diverse following, ranging from managers of large companies to social movements. The entrepreneur Götz W. Werner, for example, advocates a basic income that is financed through a consumption tax, thereby shedding further light on the possible financing models.

Although UBI could represent a solution in a utopian vision, the current reality presents a challenging picture. Critics like Brüggemann argue that the demands should be made more realistic instead of relying on experiments. In local and national politics, the discussion about the introduction of the UBI or similar models continues - a debate that is far from settled.