This research project investigates the politics of Universal Basic Income. While there are long standing debates about the normative desirability and economic feasibility (and impact) of a Universal Basic Income, there has been less attention to the political feasibility of introducing a Universal Basic Income. Drawing on a large literature in welfare state studies investigating individual preferences towards social policies, this project focuses on the determinants of public opinion towards a Universal Basic Income in Europe. More specifically, the research project addresses three questions. First, which characteristics of individuals shape their preferences for a Universal Basic Income? Here, it tests prominent hypotheses about the role of material and ideational factors such as unemployment risks and left-right ideology, respectively, in preference formation. Second, how do existing welfare state policies influence support for a Universal Basic Income? Third, how does the characteristics of a Universal Basic Income itself affect support if at all.Â
Schwander, H., & Vlandas, T. (2024). 'An Introduction to Regression Analyses of Survey Data on Support for Universal Basic Income.', in J. De Wispelaere, J. Chrisp, M.-L. Mulayi & F. Roosma (ed.) Basic Income public opinion research: a plea for methodological pluralism.
