Basic Income Earth Network
Encyclopedia
The Basic Income Earth Network (BIEN; until 2004 Basic Income European Network) is a network of academics and activists interested in the idea of a universal basic income
, i.e. a guaranteed minimum income
based solely on citizenship and not on work requirement or charity. It serves as a link between individuals and groups committed to or interested in basic income, and fosters informed discussion on this topic throughout the world. Their website defines a basic income as "an income unconditionally granted to all on an individual basis, without means test or work requirement."
Formed in 1986, BIEN held its first international conference in Louvain-la-Neuve
in September of that year. It expanded its scope from Europe to the Earth in 2004. From 1988 they published a newsletter three times per year; however, this has now been discontinued and replaced by an electronic newsletter distributed every second month. BIEN's secretaries have been Walter Van Trier (1986-1994), Philippe Van Parijs
(1994-2004), and David Casassas (2004- ).
Basic income
A basic income guarantee is a proposed system of social security, that regularly provides each citizen with a sum of money. In contrast to income redistribution between nations themselves, the phrase basic income defines payments to individuals rather than households, groups, or nations, in order...
, i.e. a guaranteed minimum income
Guaranteed minimum income
Guaranteed minimum income is a system of social welfare provision that guarantees that all citizens or families have an income sufficient to live on, provided they meet certain conditions. Eligibility is typically determined by citizenship, a means test and either availability for the labour...
based solely on citizenship and not on work requirement or charity. It serves as a link between individuals and groups committed to or interested in basic income, and fosters informed discussion on this topic throughout the world. Their website defines a basic income as "an income unconditionally granted to all on an individual basis, without means test or work requirement."
Formed in 1986, BIEN held its first international conference in Louvain-la-Neuve
Louvain-la-Neuve
Louvain-la-Neuve is a planned city in the municipality of Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium, situated 30 km southeast of Brussels, in the French-speaking part of the country...
in September of that year. It expanded its scope from Europe to the Earth in 2004. From 1988 they published a newsletter three times per year; however, this has now been discontinued and replaced by an electronic newsletter distributed every second month. BIEN's secretaries have been Walter Van Trier (1986-1994), Philippe Van Parijs
Philippe Van Parijs
Philippe Van Parijs is a Belgian philosopher and political economist, mainly known as a proponent and main defender of the basic income concept.-Education:...
(1994-2004), and David Casassas (2004- ).
External links
- Basic Income Earth Network
- Basic Income Guarantee, a similar group in the U.S.
- Basic Income Studies: An International Journal of Basic Income Research