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Why has the COVID-19 pandemic increased support for Universal Basic Income?

Author

Listed:
  • Daniel Nettle

    (Newcastle University)

  • Elliott Johnson

    (Lancaster University)

  • Matthew Johnson

    (Lancaster University)

  • Rebecca Saxe

    (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

Abstract

The onset of the 2020 global COVID-19 pandemic led to a marked increase in positive discussion of Universal Basic Income (UBI) in political and media circles. However, we do not know whether there was a corresponding increase in support for the policy in the public at large, or why. Here, we present three studies carried out during 2020 in UK and US samples. In study 1 (n = 802, April 2020), people expressed much stronger support for a UBI policy for the times of the pandemic and its aftermath than for normal times. This was largely explained by the increased importance they attached, in the pandemic context, to a system that is simple and efficient to administer, and that reduces stress and anxiety in society. In study 2 (n = 400, May 2020), we pitted UBI against a conditional targeted social transfer system. Preferences for UBI were stronger for pandemic times than for normal times. This was partially explained by a number of perceived advantages, such as simplicity of administration and suitability for a changing world. In study 3 (n = 397, September 2020), we found that the headline results of studies 1 and 2 persisted six months after the onset of the pandemic, albeit with attenuated effect sizes. Our results illustrate how a changing social and economic situation can bring about markedly different policy preferences, through changes in citizens’ perceptions of what is currently important.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniel Nettle & Elliott Johnson & Matthew Johnson & Rebecca Saxe, 2021. "Why has the COVID-19 pandemic increased support for Universal Basic Income?," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 8(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:palcom:v:8:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1057_s41599-021-00760-7
    DOI: 10.1057/s41599-021-00760-7
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Scott Claessens & Kyle Fischer & Ananish Chaudhuri & Chris G. Sibley & Quentin D. Atkinson, 2020. "The dual evolutionary foundations of political ideology," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 4(4), pages 336-345, April.
    2. Thomas Straubhaar, 2017. "On the Economics of a Universal Basic Income," Intereconomics: Review of European Economic Policy, Springer;ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics;Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS), vol. 52(2), pages 74-80, March.
    3. Paul K. Piff & Dylan Wiwad & Angela R. Robinson & Lara B. Aknin & Brett Mercier & Azim Shariff, 2020. "Shifting attributions for poverty motivates opposition to inequality and enhances egalitarianism," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 4(5), pages 496-505, May.
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    RePEc Biblio mentions

    As found on the RePEc Biblio, the curated bibliography for Economics:
    1. > Economics of Welfare > Health Economics > Economics of Pandemics > Specific pandemics > Covid-19 > Economic policy > Household support > Cash transfers

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    Cited by:

    1. Luca Michele Cigna, 2022. "Looking for a North Star? Ideological justifications and trade unions’ preferences for a universal basic income," European Journal of Industrial Relations, , vol. 28(2), pages 129-146, June.
    2. Cécile Doustaly & Vishalakshi Roy, 2022. "A Comparative Analysis of the Economic Sustainability of Cultural Work in the UK since the COVID-19 Pandemic and Examination of Universal Basic Income as a Solution for Cultural Workers," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-17, April.
    3. Van Hootegem, Arno & Laenen, Tijs, 2022. "A wave of support? A natural experiment on how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the popularity of a basic income," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, issue Online Fi, pages 1-1.
    4. Johnson, Matthew Thomas & Johnson, Elliott Aidan & Webber, Laura & Friebel, Rocco & Reed, Howard Robert & Lansley, Stewart & Wildman, John, 2021. "Modelling the size, cost and health impacts of universal basic income: what can be done in advance of a trial?," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 112516, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    5. David Weisstanner, 2022. "COVID-19 and welfare state support: the case of universal basic income [Attitudinal polarization towards the redistributive role of the state in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis]," Policy and Society, Darryl S. Jarvis and M. Ramesh, vol. 41(1), pages 96-110.

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