Beyond the Prototype, Towards the Varieties of Basic Income Experiences

This chapter examines the financial feasibility and strategies for implementing Universal Basic Income (UBI), arguing for a departure from the divide between typical UBI models and Negative Income Tax (NIT) frameworks. While basic income experiments show promise, they have limitations for national implementation. The success of a nationwide UBI depends not only on positive pilot program metrics but also on how it integrates with existing systems and interacts with other programs, which is critical for building a reliable income security system and gaining broad political support. The author proposes a feasible basic income program for the United States that transforms the federal income tax standard deduction into a refundable credit benefiting the poorest populations, along with expanding the refundable Child Tax Credit during the COVID-19 pandemic. The U.S. experience with the Child Tax Credit shows that tax credit programs can effectively administer monthly cash payments, though challenges exist in identifying non-filers. Overall, this chapter emphasizes that a basic income program should build on existing strengths, address gaps, and be adaptable to specific social, economic, and institutional contexts. This approach allows for the integration of a basic income program to vary from one country to another while aiming to provide UBI experiences across different nations to ensure financial security for all.