Abstract
The paper highlights the need to discuss the norm of reciprocity in the context of basic income experiments. Considering how the norm of reciprocity is an important objection to basic income, both at a normative level, but also in empirical discussions, a case is made for considering it in basic income experiments. The paper proposes several hypotheses on basic income and reciprocity and concludes with two distinct points: the first is focused on what in fact experiments could be telling us about behaviours that seem relevant to reciprocity, and how this could enhance our understanding of both basic income and the norm of reciprocity. The second point is a reflection on how our theoretical debate is shaped on ideal settings, whereas experiments take place in real-world conditions, hence non-ideal ones. This reflection might contribute to the need to reframe our theoretical account of the norm of reciprocity.
Funding source: FCT - Foundation for Science and Technology 10.13039/501100019370
Award Identifier / Grant number: SFRH/BD/144495/2019
Acknowledgements
Thanks to the anonymous referees for the very useful comments on the first draft of this paper.
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Research funding: PhD funded by the Foundation for Science and Technology, reference SFRH/BD/144495/2019.
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