ABSTRACT

Current debates concerning the future of social security provision in advanced capitalist states have raised the issue of a citizen’s basic income (CBI) as a possible reform package: a proposal based on the principles of individuality, universality and unconditionality which would ensure a minimum income guaranteed for all members of society. Implementing a CBI, would consequently entail radical reform of existing patterns of welfare delivery and would bring into question the institutionalized relationship between work and welfare.

Ailsa McKay’s book makes a unique and positive contribution to the CBI literature by examining the proposal from a feminist economics perspective. Gender concerns are central to any debate on the future of social security policy, in that state intervention in the field of income redistribution has differential impacts on men and women. By drawing attention to the potential a CBI has in promoting equal rights of freedom for men and women this book serves to open up the debate to incorporate a more realistic and inclusive vision of the nature of modern socio-economic relationships.

chapter 1|11 pages

Introduction

Social security reform—a possible strategy

chapter 2|24 pages

Justifying income transfers

chapter 3|26 pages

Social security or income maintenance policy?

A question of definitions

chapter 4|28 pages

‘Basic income’ or ‘basic income maintenance’

A micro-approach to policy

chapter 5|18 pages

Why a Citizens' Basic Income?

The story so far

chapter 6|50 pages

Arguing for a universal income guarantee

The reformist case

chapter 7|38 pages

Arguing for a CBI

A radical policy response?

chapter 8|15 pages

Commodification versus noncommodification

A feminist economics perspective in support of a Citizens' Basic Income

chapter 9|6 pages

Conclusion

The way forward?