Economic Freedom and Universal Basic Income: Compatible or Contradictory?

Author: Elena Kosmas

Field of Study: Arts and Humanities

Program Affiliation: Source Project Research Program

Faculty Mentors: Will Glovinsky

Easel: 79

Timeslot: Midday

Abstract: Economic freedom is frequently invoked as an argument both for and against Universal Basic Income (UBI). Classical liberals may object to the policy on grounds of minimal government, demanding the right to retain one's earnings – or what Isaiah Berlin called negative liberty. However, egalitarians argue that true self-determination requires a stable economic base – an argument based on Berlin’s positive liberty. This essay examines how these conflicting conceptions shape political philosophy and economic policy discussions regarding UBI. By referring to Isaiah Berlin, Robert Nozick, Philip Pettit, and Philippe Van Parijs, it examines how the libertarian credentials of UBI depend on whether freedom is conceived as non-interference or resource availability. By reframing the debate, this paper demonstrates that UBI can be perceived as a violation of property rights or as a magnification of the autonomy of an individual. Lastly, these competing definitions reveal how UBI complicates traditional definitions of economic freedom while potentially expanding its meaning.