by youthscholars

 

Is the core of basic income about the cash or about something more? In the summer 2025 cohort of BIEN’s UBI Youth Scholars Program, the university students discussed in their opening research assignment about how they view basic income as being more than just an economic policy.

UBI Youth Scholars is a program for university-level students to learn about basic income from prominent UBI scholars around the world. Students partake in basic income lecture series and assignments and complete the program with a group project, such as a research white paper. This summer’s cohort primarily hails from several universities across mainland China.

Today, BIEN is featuring two of the youth scholars’ opening assignment to define basic income.

Students Tony (Anyi Chen) and Jenny Wang argued that basic income goes beyond just alleviating poverty. They said it is primarily about giving people the freedom to live with dignity, pursue passions, and contribute to society on their own terms. Tony described UBI as “a universal economic floor.” In other words, he argued it is a safety net that allows individuals to take risks and grow without the constant fear of survival. Jenny echoed this view, writing that UBI allows people to say “no” to unsatisfying work and instead focus on what truly matters to them, whether that’s family, education, volunteering, or art.

Both emphasized how UBI could fundamentally challenge society’s long-held belief that a person’s worth is tied to traditional employment. Tony called this a “narrative shift,” reducing stigma around unemployment and non-traditional roles like caregiving. Jenny similarly described UBI as affirming everyone’s dignity, ensuring equal opportunity and autonomy regardless of their economic output.

There were important differences in their focus. Tony approached UBI through the lens of economics and innovation. He argued that UBI could serve as an automatic stabilizer during recessions and even act as “publicly funded venture capital,” encouraging people to leave secure but stagnant jobs to start businesses, innovate, or explore groundbreaking ideas. His tone is forward-looking, envisioning a more dynamic, creative economy fueled by UBI.

Jenny, on the other hand, brought a more social and psychological perspective. She focused on UBI’s potential to ease inequality, reduce stress, and empower families and communities to thrive. At the same time, she raised concerns about unintended consequences, such as whether UBI might discourage some people from engaging in meaningful economic or societal contributions. Could a world where survival is guaranteed lead to complacency, she asksed or would it redefine what “work” and “contribution” mean in a healthier way?

Both perspectives offer insight into the real debates happening over basic income now. While most studies on basic income pilots find that it has minimal effect on work hours, what is less clear is how it may affect the quality of productive behavior over the long-run.

Reflecting on these ideas, it’s hard not to see how UBI forces all of us to confront difficult questions. If our worth is no longer defined by a paycheck, how do we measure success?