Abstract
This paper contributes to debates regarding the normative justification of basic income (BI) via a critical reevaluation of Philippe Van Parijs’ ‘real-libertarian’ theory. Van Parijs’ work constitutes the most ambitious attempt within the literature to ground a justification of BI within a systematic normative framework. In this paper I argue that key elements of his framework should form part of any progressive justification of BI. Specifically, his linking of the principle of ‘real freedom for all’ with the policy mechanism of the ‘highest sustainable basic income.’ I take issue with Van Parijs’ treatment of compensation for unequal internal endowments based on the criterion of ‘undominated diversity’ and I reject the ‘external resources’ approach to justifying the funding of a substantial BI, including Van Parijs’ ‘jobs as assets’ argument. I introduce the concept of ‘total social productivity’ as a means of understanding the production and reproduction of society in a manner that anchors the justification of BI in a commitment to a ‘deep form of social reciprocity.’ Finally, I suggest that BI be framed as a ‘pragmatic-utopian reform.’
Bibliography
Alperovitz, G (2016). Technological inheritance and the case for a basic income. Economic Security Project, . Retrieved from https://medium.com/economicsecproj/technological-inheritance-and-the-case-for-a-basic-income-ded373a69c8e#.vlvycx47m.Search in Google Scholar
(2001). 2001Special article - unpaid work and the Australian economy1350.0 - Australian Economic Indicators, Jul 2001.Canberra: Australian Bureau of Statistics.Search in Google Scholar
Barry, B (1996). Survey article: Real freedom and basic income. The Journal of Political Philosophy, 4(3), 242–276.10.1111/j.1467-9760.1996.tb00052.xSearch in Google Scholar
BIEN. (XXXX). Basic Income Earth Network Retrieved from http://basicincome.org/basic-income/ About basic income.Search in Google Scholar
Birnbaum, S (2013). Self-ownership, liberal neutrality and the realm of freedom: New reflections on the justification of basic income. Jurisprudence, 4(2), 344–357.10.5235/20403313.4.2.344Search in Google Scholar
Callinicos, A (2000). Equality. Cambridge: Polity.Search in Google Scholar
Cole, G.D.H. (1935). G.D.H. Cole. Cunliffe, J & G Erreygers (Eds.) (2004). The origins of universal grants: an anthology of historical writings on basic capital and basic income. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.Search in Google Scholar
De Wispelaere, J (2000). Sharing job resources: Ethical reflections on the justification of basic income. Analyse & Kritik, 22/2000, 237–256.10.1515/auk-2000-0205Search in Google Scholar
Dworkin, R (1981). What is equality? Part 2: Equality of resources. Philosophy and Public Affairs, 10(3), 283–345. (Summer, 1981).10.4324/9781315199795-7Search in Google Scholar
Fraser, N (2001). Recognition without ethics? Theory, Culture (Society), 18(2–3), 21–42.10.1177/02632760122051760Search in Google Scholar
Friedman, M (1968). The case for a negative income tax: A view from the right. Widerquist, K., J. A. Noguera, Wanderborght & J. D. Wispelaere (Eds.), Basic income: An anthology of contemporary research (pp. 11–16). Chichester: Wiley Blackwell 2013.Search in Google Scholar
Gleeson-White, J (2014). Six capitals: The revolution capitalism has to have – or can accountants save the planet?. Sydney: Allen & Unwin.Search in Google Scholar
Gorz, A (1999). Reclaiming work: Beyond the wage-based society. Cambridge: Polity Press.Search in Google Scholar
Hoenig, S. & Page, A (2012). Counting on Care Work in Australia Report prepared by AEC group Limited for economic Security4Women Australia.Search in Google Scholar
Howard, M. W (2015). Exploitation, labour and basic income. Analyse & Kritik, 01+02/2015, 281–303.10.1515/auk-2015-1-217Search in Google Scholar
Hudis, P (2013). Marx’s concept of the alternative to capitalism. Chicago: Haymarket Books.10.1163/9789004229860Search in Google Scholar
Marx, K (1981). Capital volume 3. London: Penguin Books.Search in Google Scholar
Marx, K (1970). Critique of the gotha programme. Marx/Engels selected works (3, pp. 13–30). Moscow: Progress Publishers Retrieved fromhttps://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1875/gotha/index.htm.Search in Google Scholar
Murray, C (2013). Guaranteed income as a replacement for the welfare state. Widerquist, K., J. A. Noguera, Wanderborght & J. De Wispelaere (Eds.), Basic income: An anthology of contemporary research (pp. 49–51). Chichester: Wiley Blackwell.Search in Google Scholar
Pateman, C (2004). Democratising citizenship: Some advantages of a basic income. Politics & Society, 32(1), 89–105. .10.1177/0032329203261100Search in Google Scholar
Rawls, J (1985). Justice as fairness: political not metaphysical. Philosophy and Public Affairs, 14(3), 223–251.10.1007/978-1-349-21763-2_10Search in Google Scholar
Raventós, D (2007). Basic income: The material conditions of freedom. London: Pluto Press.Search in Google Scholar
Robeyns, I (2003). Is Nancy Fraser’s critique of theories of distributive justice justified? Constellations, 10(4), 538–553.10.1046/j.1351-0487.2003.00352.xSearch in Google Scholar
Sen, Amartya (2005). Human Rights and Capabilities. Journal of Human Development, 6(2), 151–166. June 11 2017. DOI:10.1080/14649880500120491.Search in Google Scholar
Simon, H (2013). Universal basic income and the flat tax. Widerquist, K., J. A. Noguera, Wanderborght & J. De Wispelaere (Eds.), Basic income: An anthology of contemporary research (pp. 240–241). Chichester: Wiley Blackwell.Search in Google Scholar
Van Der Veen, R. & Van Parijs, P (2006). A capitalist road to communism. Basic Income Studies, 1(1), 6. .10.2202/1932-0183.1013Search in Google Scholar
Van Parijs, P (1990). Equal endowments as undominated diversity. Louvain Economic Review, 56(¾), 327–355.10.1017/S0770451800043931Search in Google Scholar
Van Parijs, P (1997). Real freedom for all: What (if Anything) can justify capitalism. Oxford: Oxford University Press.10.1093/0198293577.001.0001Search in Google Scholar
Van Parijs, P (2001). Real freedom, the market and the family. Analyse & Kritik, 23/2001, 106–131.10.1515/auk-2001-0109Search in Google Scholar
Weeks, K (2011). The problem with work: Feminism, marxism, antiwork politics, and postwork imaginaries. Durham, NC: Duke University Press Books.10.1215/9780822394723Search in Google Scholar
Widerquist, K (2013). Why we demand a basic income. Widerquist, K., J. A. Noguera, Wanderborght & J. De Wispelaere (Eds.), Basic income: An anthology of contemporary research (pp. 32–38). Chichester: Wiley Blackwell.Search in Google Scholar
Wright, E. O (2006). Basic income as a socialist project. Basic Income Studies, 1(1), 12. .10.2202/1932-0183.1008Search in Google Scholar
© 2017 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston