Basic Income Earth Network

The Basic Income Earth Network (BIEN; until 2004 Basic Income European Network) is a network of academics and activists interested in the idea of a universal basic income, i.e. a guaranteed minimum income based solely on citizenship and not on work requirement or charity. It serves as a link between individuals and groups committed to or interested in basic income, and fosters informed discussion on this topic throughout the world. Their website defines a basic income as "an income unconditionally granted to all on an individual basis, without means test or work requirement."

Formed in 1986, BIEN held its first international conference in Louvain-la-Neuve in September of that year. It expanded its scope from Europe to the Earth in 2004. From 1988 they published a newsletter three times per year; however, this has now been discontinued and replaced by an electronic newsletter distributed every second month. BIEN's secretaries have been Walter Van Trier (1986-1994), Philippe Van Parijs (1994-2004), and David Casassas (2004-).

ee also

*Citizen's dividend
*Negative income tax

External links

* [http://www.basicincome.org Basic Income Earth Network]
* [http://www.usbig.net/index.html Basic Income Guarantee] , a similar group in the U.S.
* [http://www.bepress.com/bis Basic Income Studies: An International Journal of Basic Income Research]