Vereniging Basisinkomen

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The Vereniging Basisinkomen (VBI, from Dutch, Association for Basic Income) is an association of activists, scholars and politicians in The Netherlands that advocates for the introduction of a basic income. The organization was created in 1991, replacing an earlier group with a similar mandate but more restricted membership. It is a member organization of the Basic Income Earth Network.

Contents

[edit] Origins

The idea of a basic income was supported by the GreenLeft political party,[1] who included a proposal for a partial basic income in their 1998-2002 electoral program.[2] After the Dutch government rejected a proposal by its scientific council to introduce a partial basic income in 1985[3], in 1987 the 'Werkplaats Basisinkomen' (basic income workplace) was established by several political parties and trade unions.[4] Four years later, the 'Werkplaats' was replaced with the Vereniging Basisinkomen[5] to accommodate members from the general public.[6]

[edit] Activities

Vereniging Basisinkomen publishes the Nieuwsbrief Basisinkomen (Basic Income Newsletter) thrice yearly and regularly invites speakers to discuss topics related to basic income. The association held a two-day international congress on basic income in Noordwijk, 1996.[7] VBI members also helped organize the 7th Biannual International Congress of the Basic Income Earth Network in Amsterdam in 1998.[8][9]

[edit] Proposals for a basic income

Vereniging Basisinkomen advocates for the funding of a basic income through a variety of sources, including revenues gathered from natural resources and government properties redistributed in the form of a citizen's dividend and by redefining existing state benefits and welfare programs.[10] They also discuss the transition to a basic income, specifically a reduction of the age required to acquire a state pension, removal of conditions for social security payments, expansion of negative income tax and the use of small-scale experiments to test other means.[10]

The association has been recognized by the Dutch political party Natuurwetpartij for their work on the feasibility of a basic income in The Netherlands.[11]

[edit] References

  1. ^ GroenLinks (1992), "Tijd voor zelfstandigheid" (Time for independence; includes a proposal for a gradual introduction of a basic income)
  2. ^ GroenLinks, "Verkiezingsprogramma 1998-2002" (electoral programme 1998-2002)
  3. ^ Wetenschappelijke Raad voor het Regeringsbeleid (1985), "Waarborgen voor Zekerheid", Staatsuitgeverij, The Hague (Scientific Council for Government Policy, "Guarantees for Security")
  4. ^ Toxopeus J, "Invoering basisinkomen is geen dwaasheid" WTF 76r, Trouw, 6 January 1989 (introduction basic income is not foolishness)
  5. ^ Van Parijs, Philippe (1994-02-01). Allocation universelle et plien emploi: l'ineluctable alliance (pdf) (French). Retrieved on 2008-04-19.
  6. ^ National Networks on Basic Income: Netherlands VERENIGING BASISINKOMEN. Basic Income Earth Network (2002-09-16). Retrieved on 2008-04-18.
  7. ^ BIEN, "Newsletter of the Basic Income European Network", nr. 24, 1996
  8. ^ Robert J. van der Veen, Loek Groot (eds.) (2000), "Basic Income on the Agenda. Policy Objectives and Political Feasibility", Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press
  9. ^ BIEN 7th Congress, 10-12 September 1998, Amsterdam. Basic Income Earth Network (2001). Retrieved on 2008-04-18.
  10. ^ a b Basisinkomen - goed voor de mèns (basic income - good for humanity; promotional brochure) (pdf). Vereniging Basisinkomen (2004). Retrieved on 2008-04-18.
  11. ^ Natuurwetpartij gedachtengoed en programma (pdf) (Dutch). Natuurwetpartij Nederland. Retrieved on 2008-04-18.

[edit] External links