Why is basic income being debated?

为什么基本收入正在被讨论?

The Inquiry

2026-03-31

24 分钟
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Ireland has a new permanent government scheme providing regular cash transfers to 2,000 artists. The people who can access it range from circus performers to opera singers. It follows a pilot of more than three years which is believed to have brought a return on investment to the economy. Big tech backs basic income schemes like this to offset the consequences AI is having on the workforce. Leading economists believe it could create a dystopian world. Nevertheless, more governments are piloting or planning to introduce schemes like this. This week on The Inquiry, we’re asking ‘Why is basic income being debated?’ Contributors: Dr Jenny Dagg, assistant lecturer, Maynooth University, Ireland Dr Catarina Neves, postdoctoral fellow, Utrecht University, The Netherlands Daron Acemoglu, 2024 Nobel Prize winner in economics, institute professor, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, US Jurgen De Wispelaere, acting chair of the Basic Income Earth Network Presenter: Charmaine Cozier Producer: Daniel Rosney Researcher: Evie Yabsley Editor: Tom Bigwood Technical Producer: Craig Boardman Production Management: Phoebe Lomas and Liam Morrey (Photo: A customer withdraws euro bills from an ATM in Sofia. Credit: Bloomberg/Getty Images)
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  • Welcome to The Inquiry from the BBC World Service.

  • I'm Charmaine Cozier.

  • Each week, one question, four expert witnesses and an answer.

  • October 2025.

  • The Irish government holds a live media conference after announcing the 2026 budget.

  • Speakers include Patrick O'Donovan, the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport.

  • He confirms that a pioneering pilot scheme for one section of the population will be made permanent.

  • An allocation of £18.27 million will be provided for the basic income for the ARC scheme and its successor.

  • That £18 million, or US$22 million, will fund regular cash payments to 2,000 artists with no conditions

  • attached to ease income instability and support creativity.

  • Ireland has gone further than most.

  • Many countries are studying and testing variations of basic income.

  • It's also attracted the interest of industries keen to promote them as a crucial element of the future of work.