ABSTRACT
In Social Theory overview, this chapter considers the backdrop to what is termed Basic Income, Guild Socialism and Economic Democracy. It introduces the case of experiments in Universal Basic Income taking place across the globe, particularly in Finland. Basic income is fully compatible with the view that recognition and esteem are not earned by self-employment, but by service to others. A major basic income study has been launched in Kenya, and in the Netherlands no fewer than 20 municipalities are putting basic income into action. The impetus for a sudden flurry of interest was a referendum held in Switzerland in June, 2016, on a proposal for a basic income. In contrast with communism and labourism, so called "guild socialism", in the early part of the last century, sought to overthrow neo-liberal capitalism by reclaiming the communality and utility of production. The implication is that wealth as money-making thereby conflated wealth and well-being.
