The Unconditional Basic Income

Chair walk for the unconditional basic income in Munich.

«Good things take time.» Anyone who advocates for an unconditional basic income (UBI) should make this saying their mantra. The Munich UBI initiative has been taking to the streets for many years with a UBI chair walk. A chair walk is the slowest way to move around, with several people sitting on chairs one behind the other and the person at the back carrying their chair in front of the person at the front, creating a human snake that moves very slowly. They held large signs in their hands with the question: «What would you do if your income were taken care of?» This was the slogan of the Swiss UBI initiative for the 2016 referendum. This encouraged passersby to think about the unconditional basic income. Because seriously considering this question means questioning one's own work. What meaning do I want to give to my work? One may notice that a UBI can free one from external control. This makes it possible to open up to the vision of a UBI.

The Basic Income Network is an association of individuals and organizations. Its statutes list the following four criteria that a UBI should meet: It should be paid out individually, without means testing, without the obligation to work in return, and at a level sufficient to cover living expenses. What a blessing it would be for all parents, especially single parents, if poverty could be abolished in this way. How much more peace and serenity they could convey to their children as a result.

All parents know that parenting today urgently needs to slow down. A UBI could help in the long term. It is now taken for granted that both parents have to work. However, this usually leads to many stressful situations. Almost everyone can see in their own circle of friends and family what a burden it is to juggle work and raising children.

It is not good for children when they feel that both parents' careers come first. Leisure and slowing down—these are magic words for a family, because they enable genuine togetherness. It is surprising to note that, despite all our technological inventions, we have less and less of both.

It is equally surprising, however, that little has been said about childcare in the basic income debate to date. Now, the debate about care work has gained momentum, perhaps not least because the coronavirus pandemic has created a new awareness of how we all depend on each other. In particular, we have seen how chronic understaffing in hospitals has led to a shortage of nursing care. However, it also became clear that this was caused by our profit-oriented health policy.

In a book published in 2024 entitled Arbeit-Care-Grundeinkommen (Work-Care-Basic Income) by Margit Appel and Barbara Prainsack, this view is countered by the image of a care-oriented society. The authors show how important it is to consider work, care, and basic income together. In doing so, they make it clear: «How work is understood is an expression of power and domination, and a care ethic must become the cornerstone of a reorientation of the economy in a care-oriented society. A reassessment of the role and definition of work and income is essential for solving the crises in health, care, climate, distribution, and democracy. This makes the idea of an unconditional basic income more relevant than ever.»

These are big ideas that find expression in the new so-called care revolution. An almost paradoxical expression, because care means consistency, empathy, being able to engage with my counterpart, being able to put myself second sometimes, et cetera. An unconditional basic income is the urgently needed leap of faith we need in order to be there for each other unconditionally.

Why there is still no UBI in Germany

Germany does not yet have an unconditional basic income (UBI) because the economy demands cheap, dependent labor for growth. Politics follows economic interests, which is why no major party has yet included UBI in its program. It is often argued that UBI is not financially viable. However, there are many financing proposals, such as income, consumption, CO2, or micro taxes on money transfers. Studies have also refuted the concern that the UBI would make people lazy: projects in Finland, Namibia, and on platforms such as Mein Grundeinkommen (My Basic Income) show that people can become more creative and responsible.

Fundamentally, the concept of humanity determines whether the introduction of a UBI is desired. Those who strive for a society based on solidarity recognize the UBI as a step toward greater fraternity and should advocate for it—parents in particular could commit themselves to a care-oriented society.