Elgar Research Agendas outline the future of research in a given area. Leading scholars are given the space to explore their subject in provocative ways, and map out the potential directions of travel. They are relevant but also visionary. Highlighting the diversity and complexity of the global Basic Income debate, Malcolm Torry assesses the history, current state, and future of research in this important field. Cognisant of the increasing extent and intensity of the current Basic Income debate, Torry begins by defining relevant key terms. Each chapter offers a concise history of a particular subfield of Basic Income research, describes the current state of research in that area, and makes proposals for the research required if the increasingly widespread global debate on Basic Income is to be constructive. Subsequent chapters tackle research on financial and political feasibility; employment market effects; other economic and social effects; ethical justifications for paying everyone an unconditional income; and questions of implementation.This state-of-the-art Research Agenda will be of great value to students and scholars interested in social and economic history, the economics of social policy, and a Universal Basic Income. Its proposed strategies for carrying out future research on Basic Income will also benefit journalists, think tank staff, and policymakers.
Malcolm Torry, Visiting Fellow, Institute for Policy Research, University of Bath, previously Senior Visiting Fellow, London School of Economics, Treasurer, Basic Income Earth Network (BIEN), former Director, Citizen's Basic Income Trust. He is a Priest in the Church of England and currently Priest in Charge of St Mary Abchurch, City of London, UK
Contents: Preface 1. Introduction to A Research Agenda for Basic Income 2. What is a Basic Income? 3. How could we pay for a Basic Income? 4. Employment market effects of a Basic Income 5. Economic effects of a Basic Income 6. Social effects of a Basic Income 7. What do people think of Basic Income? 8. Can we justify paying everyone a Basic Income? 9. Is a Basic Income politically feasible? 10. How would we implement a Basic Income? 11. Conclusion to A Research Agenda for Basic Income Bibliography Index
‘The idea of an unconditional Basic Income is now discussed all over the world and it raises many questions, sociological and political as well as economic and administrative. Some of them are universal, others are country-specific. In the process of identifying the most important unanswered questions, Malcolm Torry provides a lucid, splendidly informed overview of what we currently know about the many versions of Basic Income and their likely effects.’