Basic income and social policy in Europe: what could shape a social-democratic proposal

While most European countries have forms of minimum income protection, a basic income, intended as […]

Policy Brief

23/02/2016

While most European countries have forms of minimum income protection, a basic income, intended as a universal, unconditional and non-withdrawable intervention for all citizens, has been considered for many years a very ambitious (if not unrealistic) policy proposal. The empirical applications of the basic income are rare: at the moment we can find one real-work application of a semi-basic income in Alaska. However, a useful discussion on basic income needs to understand this instrument as a development, rather than in opposition, to the current forms of social protection. Current minimum income protection systems are generally means-tested and aim to offer a last resort protection from the risks of the labour markets; as such, their success is highly linked to labour market performances. The idea of the basic income, on the other side, poses the possibility of having an unconditional form of support. 

Read the Policy Brief

Find all related publications
Publications
05/05/2025

Shaping a European budget fit for climate action and a just transition

The negotiations for the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) – the long-term budget at […]
22/04/2025

Trade, trust, and transition: Shaping the next transatlantic chapter

Essays series by FEPS and Center for American Progress (CAP)
08/04/2025

The profit-price spiral in food and energy

Analysis and toolbox to fight inflation
17/02/2025

Expected labour market effects of the Green Deal Industrial Plan (2)

A regional labour policy approach
Find all related Progressive Post
Progressive Post
11/04/2025

Trump’s tariff boomerang

Most trade pundits (and a few others) were shocked by the magnitude of Trump’s tariff […]
11/04/2025

Trade as a force for good jobs

Tariffs and trade wars are never good for workers who inevitably end up paying the […]
Find all related events
Events
Upcoming
20/05/2025
Expert Meeting

Lessons learned from the RRF for a future European fiscal capacity

EU Investment Capacity Group
Past
23 - 24/04/2025
Washington DC, USA (Expert meeting)

Trade, trust and transition

Progressive Economics Network (PEN) 2025 meeting in Washington D.C.
11/04/2025
FEPS HQ, Brussels (Stakeholder meeting)

Roadmap to the next MFF

Supporting Just Transition and cohesion
Find all related news
News
26/02/2025

FEPS reaction to the European Commission’s Clean Industrial Deal

What Teresa Ribera presented today is an ambitious plan that makes the case for Europe […]
07/02/2025

FEPS President on the European car industry and the Competitive Compass on Euronews ‘Brussels, my love?’

FEPS President Maria João Rodrigues took part in the Euronews talk show ‘Brussels, my love?‘ […]
27/06/2024

Join Tax the EU Billionaires Day!

Do you know that the richest 1% in Europe owns half of European wealth? Join […]
18/01/2024

FEPS President at Euronews talk-show ‘Brussels, my love?’

Alongside German conservative MEP Lars Patrick Berg and Fabian Zuleeg, Chief economist and director of […]
Find all related in the media
In the media

Tévedés azt hinni, hogy Trump után visszatérhetünk a régi kerékvágásba

by telex 24/04/2025
“It’s a mistake to think we can go back to the old normal after Trump”. Interview with FEPS Secretary General László Andor in Telex (HU), where he discusses the global trade tensions triggered by Trump-era tariffs, the shifting US-China dynamic, and the need for the EU to develop a new strategic approach in a permanently changed world order.

Brussels, my love? Europe’s economy in a struggle for survival

by Euronews 21/10/2024
FEPS director of studies and policy David Rinaldi participated in this episode of Euronews’ show ‘Brussels my love’.

Megadóztatná a szupergazdagokat? Ha igen, most tehet valamit

by Zöld Hang 04/10/2024
'Would you tax the super-rich? If so, you can do something now' Interview to FEPS Secretary General, László Andor on the 'Tax the rich' EU initiative by the Hungarian newspaper Zöld Hang.

Orbánov boj z zunanjim sovražnikom ni bil kos inflaciji

by DELO 28/05/2024
In an article in Delo, László Andor criticises Viktor Orbán government's economic policies, such as not allowing Hungary to join the euro area, which he believes would have helped curb inflation. He also criticises the government for blaming external enemies such as the President of the European Commission, to cover up its own failures.