A modest basic income as a tool for emancipation

This article examines the concept of a modest basic income as a foundation for building autonomy and human dignity. The author cites experiences from the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, where a pilot project led by the SEWA organization demonstrated that unconditional cash transfers effectively liberate people from the debt trap and empower marginalized groups, especially women. The article frames these initiatives within a broad philosophical context, drawing on the Gandhian tradition and the Security Differential Principle. It also criticizes paternalistic conditional systems that limit beneficiaries' agency. Basic income is seen here as a tool for promoting sustainable local development and authentic social emancipation, transforming the economy into a system that supports human agency.