Basic Income: An Instrument for Transformation in the Twenty-First Century

This paper argues a basic income system could transform the means of income redistribution and social empowerment in society, and move us decisively towards the egalitarian principle of giving everyone equal access to the conditions to live a flourishing life. Basic income is a universal non-conditional payment, paid at the same level to everyone regardless of income or wealth. The paper considers basic income as a transformative strategy from a number of perspectives: economic, social, cultural and environmental, and then considers basic income as an alternative and transformative idea for Ireland. It presents three potential pathways in which it could be implemented and elaborates and provides full costings on how one such proposal could be funded and concludes it is affordable, feasible and politically viable in Ireland today.