Conclusion: Implications for the Political Feasibility of Basic Income

This chapter summarizes the main empirical findings of the book and discusses the implications thereof for the political feasibility of basic income. It identifies eight political challenges that advocates of a basic income (in particular, in its fully universal and unconditional ideal-typical form) are likely to face. At the same time, the chapter recognizes that each political challenge also comes with some political opportunities that basic income advocates may—now or in the future—be able to exploit. However, to find out whether these opportunities are likely to materialize, more research is needed. In light of this, the chapter puts forward a research agenda that aims to inspire future studies on the popularity and political feasibility of basic income. At its core, the agenda suggests that research should focus on improving the measurement of popular support for basic income and exploring its causes and consequences much further.