Basic Income Trials Begin in Europe

The first cheques were sent out this week in a landmark Basic Income experiment in Finland. Additionally:

Basic income experiments are also due to take place this year in several cities in the Netherlands, including Utrecht, Tilburg, Nijmegen, Wageningen and Groningen. In Utrecht’s version, called Know What Works, several test groups will get a basic monthly income of €970 under slightly different conditions.

Sorry to bang on about Universal Basic Income. Our interest in this at New Escapologist is that, were it adopted, it would provide an escape route for all. That is: freedom to work by choice, freedom to not work at all if frugal, freedom to start a business with minimal risk, or freedom to be an artist or a writer without starving in a smelly old ditch.

Here’s a brand-new guide to Basic Income from the Citizen’s Income Trust.

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About

Robert Wringham is the editor of New Escapologist. He also writes books and articles. Read more at wringham.co.uk

2 Responses to “Basic Income Trials Begin in Europe”

  1. Martin Greaney says:

    Great news to hear that trials are starting, though I’m worried that trials lack a few important things that make Basic Income so important. If it started in my city today, on a trial, I’d almost certainly keep my job. But if I knew it was going to be permanent, then that’s when I’d start looking into different ways of living, and possibly changing the way I earn. I don’t want to give up my job if there’s a chance I’ll need it again after the trial! So will the trial be seen in the wrong light if few really takes advantage?
    At least, I suppose, many people in precarious positions will have their lives changed, and I hope that side of things has an impact that catches people’s eyes. 🙂

  2. Yes, that occurs to me too. I think this is what researchers call a lack of ecological validity, i.e that the experiment doesn’t represent the real world accurately enough. I believe there are checks and balances for this sort of thing when analysing results though, which, given the scale of these studies, will presumably be used. Having said this, devastating mistakes were made in American trials in 1978 so we may not assume total confidence.

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