The attitudes of young citizens in higher education towards universal basic income in the context of automation—A qualitative study – Publication by Lilla Vicsek

One of the primary reasons for introducing the discussion about universal basic income (UBI) into political debate was to understand whether UBI could serve a good response to the negative consequences of technology-driven job replacement. It is also a question whether citizens would accept UBI. Based on 30 interviews with Hungarian university students, we investigate the attitudes of young citizens to the introduction of UBI in a hypothetical scenario, situated in 2060, when technological unemployment is high. Interviewees expressed optimistic views about the future labour market and dismissed the scenario, preferring the option of job-creation. Students claimed that people would become useless members of society by not working, which argument echoes the Hungarian government’s discourse about the need for work-based society. Students also stressed that work gives meaning to life. These narratives show a traditional understanding of work that might inhibit advocates from increasing social support for UBI. 

https://doi.org/10.1111/ijsw.12533