Basic Income is an unconditional income, sufficient to meet basic needs, granted by government to all citizens or all residents without means test or work requirement. This presentation explores the meaning of and need for Basic Income. It argues that Basic Income represents represents the return on individual's share of ownership in his or her nation's resources. It argues that some portion of the return to an individual's share of resources must be distributed unconditionally if the individual is to be treated as genuine owner and as truly free person.

Dr. Karl Widerquist is associate professor of political theory at Georgetown-Qatar.