Politics of Universal Basic Income

Project outline

This research project investigated the politics of Universal Basic Income. While there are long standing debates about the normative desirability and economic feasibility (and impact) of a Universal Basic Income, there has been less attention to the political feasibility of introducing a Universal Basic Income. Drawing on a large literature in welfare state studies investigating individual preferences towards social policies, this project focused on the determinants of public opinion towards a Universal Basic Income in Europe. More specifically, the research project addressed three questions. First, which characteristics of individuals shape their preferences for a Universal Basic Income? Here, it tests prominent hypotheses about the role of material and ideational factors such as unemployment risks and left-right ideology, respectively, in preference formation. Second, how do existing welfare state policies influence support for a Universal Basic Income? Third, how does the characteristics of a Universal Basic Income itself affect support if at all.