Dear All
I would be very interested in getting in touch with anyone who has
views on the relation between universal basic income (where every
citizen receives a grant by right without means test or work
requirement) and disability policy/politics.
I have a longstanding interest in basic income (and am involved in the
basic income earth network BIEN) and have for the past two years become
very interested in recent developments in critical disability studies
and the disability movement. I have come to realize that the basic
income movement has little appreciation of what goes on regarding
disability politics, and I think this is a serious mistake for two
reasons.
First, if basic income is to be justified (as advocates have it) as a
policy geared towards the disadvantaged in society, it seems important
that we look in detail how it might affect all disadvantaged groups in
modern society. The basic income movement has so far mainly focused on
poverty and unemployment, neglecting the specific ways in which social
welfare and employment policies become part of the disabling society.
For me this is a challenge basic income advocates need to address
urgently.
Another important reason is that disability advocates as an
increasingly effective and prominent social movement are a possible
strategic partner for basic income proponents, who in the present
context of workfare and related philosophies are hardly in the position
to ignore potentially fruitful strategic alliances. So even taking a
pure strategic perspective it seems to make sense for basic income
advocates to start interacting with the disability movement and explore
options and possibilities.
In the light of the previous considerations I would love to hear from
people within the disability movement, or engaged in critical
disability studies, who have a particular view on the relation between
basic income and disability. I should perhaps say that while I am
rather in favour of basic income, I am nevertheless keen to hear from
people who are sceptical or even critical about this idea, provided
scepticism is rooted in specific concerns pertaining to disability
issues. [I think after 10 years I've heard all the general criticisms
of basic income]. I should perhaps also make clear that this message is
written from a personal capacity and (for now) does not reflect a
concern within the wider basic income movement - though I for one am
keen to change that.
So here I am exploring the field as it were ... Anyone interested in
having a chat about this topic, please do get in touch. If you happen
to know of someone who might be interested and can provide me with an
email contact, that would be great too. Finally, please feel free to
forward this message to any other relevant listings etc.
Many thanks (and apologies for droning on ...)
cheers, Jurgen
-------------------------------
Jurgen De Wispelaere
UCD Equality Studies Centre
School of Social Justice
University College Dublin
Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
Tel.: +353 1 716 7670
URL: www.ucd.ie/esc
-------------------------------
ALSP2006: www.ucd.ie/alsp2006
BIEN: www.basicincome.org
BIS: www.basicincomestudies.org
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