Abstract
Torry explores a variety of different ways in which terms are defined: according to current usage; by a list of characteristics; and by a legitimate authority. These methods are then employed to construct definitions of ‘Basic Income’ and of a variety of other terms. Such concepts as ‘guarantee’, ‘unconditional’, and ‘universal’ are discussed, followed by such alternatives to Basic Income as a Minimum Income Guarantee, a Participation Income, and Negative Income Tax. Current debates are explored and particularly the question as to whether the level at which a Basic Income would be paid should be included in the definition. Proposals are made for clarifications of the definition of Basic Income, and areas for future debate are outlined.
This chapter is based on a paper titled ‘What’s a definition? And how should we define “Basic Income”?’ presented at the BIEN Congress in Lisbon in September 2017 (Torry, 2017b), now published in Torry (2022a); and on a paper titled ‘Basic Income: A brief history of the idea’ presented at a conference convened by the University of Braunschweig in March 2022 (Torry, 2022c).
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Torry, M. (2023). The Definition and Characteristics of Basic Income. In: Torry, M. (eds) The Palgrave International Handbook of Basic Income. Exploring the Basic Income Guarantee. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-41001-7_2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-41001-7_2
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