Crisis, Cuts, Citizenship and a Basic Income: A Wicked Solution to a Wicked Problem

Abstract

This article argues for a Citizens Basic Income (CBI) on the basis of the potential the proposal has for addressing gender-based inequalities, particularly with reference to the world of paid work. The nature and level of public spending cuts evident across Europe have had a disproportionate impact on women both as providers and users of key public services. This is largely due to the very gendered nature of care work, paid and unpaid. A CBI provides the basis for transforming welfare policy to adequately account for the value and contribution of care work to the economy.