How Seriously Should we Take Universal Basic Income?

Abstract Is universal basic income (UBI) a policy idea whose time has come? Recent historical scholarship now enables us to comprehend the twentieth century evolution of this and similar ideas. UBI is intriguing in having vociferous backers drawn both from libertarian right—such as, notably, Milton Friedman form his negative tax proposal—but also emancipation‐embracing left—such as Michel Foucault Phillipe Van Parijs. In review, scepticism expressed about whether can seriously help address issues inequality, opposed preventing poverty that liberal market economies tend insistently generate.