Prof. Dr. Milena Buchs (University of Leeds): “Sustainable welfare: How do universal basic income and universal basic services compare?” (Public Lecture Series)

On Monday, 24th April, Prof. Dr. Milena Buchs (University of Leeds) will present an evening lecture on “Sustainable welfare: How do universal basic income and universal basic services compare?”.

Time: 06:00 – 07:00 p.m.

Place: Online (Zoom)

Video recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9KBiA-TVjE

Zoom link: https://uni-freiburg.zoom.us/j/69439303555?pwd=OHptNmYxNXVBd3hvUVludGVJaUswUT09

The public lecture series is the perfect opportunity to delve into some of the cutting-edge work in the field of basic income policy research. Featuring six expert authors, each discussing a key article in their research, this series promises to offer unique insights into the challenges and opportunities surrounding basic income policy. Join us online for this enriching event series and explore the latest research and findings on basic income policy.

Abstract:  The newly emerging concept of sustainable welfare refers to welfare systems which aim to satisfy everyone’s needs within planetary boundaries and to decouple the welfare-growth nexus. Both Universal Basic Income (UBI) and Universal Basic Services (UBS) have been discussed as suitable, but potentially competing, approaches that could support sustainable welfare. This paper contributes to this debate by asking how UBI and UBS compare in relation to four sustainable welfare criteria: a) planetary boundaries, b) needs satisfaction, c) fair distribution, and d) democratic governance. The paper argues that UBI and UBS are not so much conflicting but complementary approaches for supporting sustainable welfare. UBI focuses on the consumption side of the economy while UBS addresses the production side more directly, both of which would be relevant in any sustainable welfare system. Sustainable welfare outcomes of UBI and UBS would be shaped by the institutional contexts within which they operate, especially by the governance of markets, collective provisioning systems and decision-making at all levels. More attention needs to be paid to these institutional contexts when discussing potential sustainable welfare outcomes of UBI and UBS.

Article link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2021.107152

Bio: Milena Buchs’s research focuses on sustainable welfare and just transitions. She has published widely on the relationship between economic growth and welfare states, and the question of how welfare states can be transformed so that everyone’s needs can be achieved within planetary limits. Several of her publications also focus on the distributional and justice implications of climate policies and measures that improve their distributional outcomes.