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Universal Basic Services: a theoretical and moral framework

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  • Gough, Ian

Abstract

The case for Universal Basic Services (UBS) is a recent idea that is attracting much attention. This article provides a theoretical justification for extending the delivery of public services, as an alternative to the longer‐standing argument for Universal Basic Income (UBI). It rests on human need theory and the concept of provisioning systems. Both recognise the irreducible heterogeneity of consumption, the multi‐faceted nature of human needs and the variety of systems on which we all depend. Both recognise the importance of shared systems and mutual benefits. The final part restates the case for social rights or entitlements to the satisfaction of basic needs and for collective responsibilities to meet them to serve the values of equality, efficiency, solidarity and sustainability.

Suggested Citation

  • Gough, Ian, 2019. "Universal Basic Services: a theoretical and moral framework," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 101051, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    • Handle: RePEc:ehl:lserod:101051
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    File URL: http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/101051/
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    Cited by:

    1. Virág, Doris & Wiedenhofer, Dominik & Baumgart, André & Matej, Sarah & Krausmann, Fridolin & Min, Jihoon & Rao, Narasimha D. & Haberl, Helmut, 2022. "How much infrastructure is required to support decent mobility for all? An exploratory assessment," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 200(C).
    2. P. J. Stephenson & Anca Damerell, 2022. "Bioeconomy and Circular Economy Approaches Need to Enhance the Focus on Biodiversity to Achieve Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-20, August.
    3. Katharina Bohnenberger, 2020. "Money, Vouchers, Public Infrastructures? A Framework for Sustainable Welfare Benefits," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-30, January.
    4. Milena Büchs & Noel Cass & Caroline Mullen & Karen Lucas & Diana Ivanova, 2023. "Emissions savings from equitable energy demand reduction," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 8(7), pages 758-769, July.
    5. Paula Saikkonen & Minna Ylikännö, 2020. "Is There Room for Targeting within Universalism? Finnish Social Assistance Recipients as Social Citizens," Social Inclusion, Cogitatio Press, vol. 8(1), pages 145-154.
    6. Sophia Seung-Yoon Lee & Ji-eun Lee & Kyo-seong Kim, 2020. "Evaluating Basic Income, Basic Service, and Basic Voucher for Social and Ecological Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(20), pages 1-25, October.
    7. Gough, Ian, 2020. "The case for Universal Basic Services," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 107815, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    8. Cieplinski, André & D'Alessandro, Simone & Dwarkasing, Chandni & Guarnieri, Pietro, 2023. "Narrowing women’s time and income gaps: An assessment of the synergies between working time reduction and universal income schemes," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 167(C).
    9. Cameron, Anna & Tedds, Lindsay M., 2020. "Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA+) of Two Policy Alternatives: Basic Income and Basic Services," MPRA Paper 105939, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    10. Lutz Leisering, 2020. "The Calls for Universal Social Protection by International Organizations: Constructing a New Global Consensus," Social Inclusion, Cogitatio Press, vol. 8(1), pages 90-102.
    11. Büchs, Milena, 2021. "Sustainable welfare: How do universal basic income and universal basic services compare?," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 189(C).
    12. Dillman, K.J. & Heinonen, J., 2022. "A ‘just’ hydrogen economy: A normative energy justice assessment of the hydrogen economy," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 167(C).
    13. Bärnthaler, Richard & Gough, Ian, 2023. "Provisioning for sufficiency: envisaging production corridors," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 119420, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    14. Malcom Sawyer, 2021. "Beyond social democracy and neo-liberalism: Towards a social economy," PSL Quarterly Review, Economia civile, vol. 74(299), pages 287-306.
    15. Vogel, Jefim & Guerin, Gauthier & O'Neill, Daniel W. & Steinberger, Julia K., 2024. "Safeguarding livelihoods against reductions in economic output," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 215(C).
    16. Richard Philip Lee & Pamela Louise Graham & Emma Croft & Katie L Hackett, 2023. "Food bank practices, local development and the potential of community wealth building and universal basic services in the UK," Local Economy, London South Bank University, vol. 38(1), pages 22-41, February.
    17. Richard Bärnthaler & Andreas Novy & Leonhard Plank, 2021. "The Foundational Economy as a Cornerstone for a Social–Ecological Transformation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-19, September.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    human needs; provisioning systems; foundational economy; social entitlements; collective responsibility; solidarity;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • N0 - Economic History - - General

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