The Left and universal basic income: the role of ideology in individual support

Abstract

Few studies to date have analysed individual support for universal basic income (UBI). This article theorizes and explores empirically the relationship between different strands of left ideology and support for UBI across European countries. We delineate three types of concerns about capitalism: “Labourist Left” worry about exploitation; “Libertarian Left” about repression and “Social Investment Left” about inefficiencies. Contrary to expectations we derive from political theory and welfare state literature, our results based on data from the European Social Survey suggest that having high concerns about exploitation is positively correlated with support for UBI, whereas repression concerns are negatively correlated with support. In line with our hypothesis about social investment ideology, left-leaning individuals with efficiency concerns are more likely to support UBI. Our findings call for more detailed surveys as well as further research on the different ideologies within the Left and how these relate to variation in support for UBI, which crucially shapes the potential political coalition behind the introduction of UBI.

Measuring and framing support for universal basic income

“…While little research exists on support for UBI in the American context, very recent research on UBI focuses on public support in Europe. These studies find UBI support is higher in countries where social spending is low (Parolin & Siöland, 2020) and among left-leaning individuals (Schwander & Vlandas, 2020), but may be context-dependent, given the much stronger European support for redistribution policies generally. In contrast, redistribution policy and attitudes in the United States are more conservative, making American public opinion about UBI more uncertain.…”

Association Between Self-Rated Political Orientation and Attitude Toward the Cash Transfer Policy During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey Conducted in South Korea

“…At this point, it can be understood that the favor for unconditionality is connected to the pursuit of basic income. This closeness between unconditional cash transfer and basic income suggests that the left ( 34 ) and the younger generation ( 35 ) generally support the unconditional cash transfer policy.…”

More than a Free Lunch: A Content Analysis of the Controversies Surrounding Universal Basic Income on Dutch Twitter

“…Vlandas (2021) similarly argues that the political left, including labor unions, plays a pivotal role in coalition formation surrounding UBI. Schwander and Vlandas (2020) find that leftist support for UBI is grounded primarily in a 'laborist' ideology, suggesting that concerns over-exploitation of the working classes is an important driver of UBI support. This is contrasted with UBI support amongst politicians, where especially the green parties and activist movements endorse UBI (Liu, 2020;Perkiö, 2020).…”

“…On the opposing side, we first find the 'labourist' opposition (e.g. Navarro, 2018, see also Schwander & Vlandas, 2020), contending that UBI will retrench welfare and increase poverty. In one apt summary, UBI is described as "anti-social or unaffordable" 7 .…”