‘Unconditional’ and ‘universal’: Definitions and Applications

The chapter explores a variety of different ways in which words are defined, and these methods are then used to define the terms ‘unconditional’ and ‘universal’, and, on the basis of the definitions constructed, relationships between the two terms are discussed. How the terms are used in the current social policy debate is explored via case studies. Different kinds of conditionality are identified: those that we cannot affect; those that we have affected and that relate to events in the past (such as the payment of social insurance contributions); and those that we can affect and that relate to future or current events (such as paid employment). The different behavioural effects of the different kinds of conditionality are discussed. ‘Unconditional’ and ‘universal’ are then treated as ideal positions, and the question will be asked as to whether we might legitimately speak of degrees of unconditionality and degrees of universality: and, if so, whether levels of unconditionality and universality can be quantified. If so, levels of conditionality will need to be measured separately for each kind of conditionality. Finally, policy implications are discussed.