60% of French people are in favor of basic income

Revealed by an IFOP survey, this figure has increased by 15% since 2012. A sign that the debate around an unconditional income disconnected from work is progressing.

Update 26.05.2016 : 64% of Europeans are for universal income, reveals an unprecedented survey

Demonstration for the establishment of a basic income for all in Lyon, on 1^er May 2015 (Credit: Income from

base - France)

Six out of ten French people are in favor of the idea of a basic income in France. This is indicated by an IFOP poll commissioned by opinion et I-TV, the results of which were published on May 19. The survey further states that among the 60% in favour, 16% consider themselves to be "totally in favour" and 44% as "rather in favour".

A trend hailed by the French Movement for a Basic Income (MFRB), an association campaigning for its establishment. The latter highlights an increase of 15% compared to the last survey carried out on the subject in 2012.

Some experiments

Also called "universal allowance" or even "unconditional subsistence income", the basic income consists of paying a monthly sum of money to all the members of a community, regardless of their conditions of resources and without be required to work to qualify. A mechanism financed by taxes, which would replace all or part of the various existing social benefits.

This principle is essentially based on theory and a few experiments. Although the various experiments carried out in Canada, in Alaska or more recently in Namibia, presented an overall positive balance sheet, no State has to date introduced a basic income.

In detail, this opinion poll reveals that more left-wing sympathizers (75% of them) than right-wing sympathizers (50%) are in favor of the establishment of such an income. A paradox, while left-wing economists are traditionally more reluctant to this idea. A debate that has been going on for several years, which sees some fearing a brake on full employment and others defending a way to put an end to precariousness.

The Economist Baptist Mylondo, who ardently supports its establishment, considers that life should not "revolve only around employment". On the contrary, Jean-Marie Harribey professor of economics, defends that“there cannot be rights forever without those who bear the cost of them being able to demand equivalent rights in return”.

A basic income in Switzerland from 2016?

If in France, the debate remains at the theoretical stage, it takes on a more concrete dimension in Switzerland. The federal popular initiative "For an unconditional basic income" launched in 2012 has exceeded the milestone of 100.000 signatures required. Despite the mistrust displayed by certain political actors, the project could be submitted to a referendum in 2016. Often presented as a model of democracy, Switzerland could thus play the role of laboratory of basic income within the Western world.

In Finland too, the idea is gaining ground. Last March, 65% of legislative candidates voted in favor of a first legal application of the universal income. The centrist party, which emerged victorious from this election, had also included this system in its program, which is in favor of nearly eight out of ten Finns.

We are not there in France, but the idea is progressing. The very day of the publication of the results of the FIFG survey was held in the Senate a symposium entitled "The basic income: a lever of social transformation for the economy of tomorrow”. An event organized by the MFRB, in collaboration with Collectif Emergence, chaired by the senator of Nièvre Gaetan Gorce.

If the ways to achieve it divide, the need to adapt to a world where salaried employment is weakened by digital technology and deindustrialization is now the subject of a certain consensus. Faced with this new deal, universal income is one of the solutions under consideration. File to follow.

John Duffour

Journalist at We Tomorrow
@JeanDuffour

source: Wedemain.fr

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