Protesters at a rally for an unconditional basic income on Alexanderplatz in Berlin. Photo: Getty
On Thursday, German social researchers will open applications from people who want to receive €1,200 a month in guaranteed income, with no strings attached, for the next 12 months. The posh phrase is “universal basic income”, but in popular parlance it is called “free money for all”.
Across the Western world, this idea is gathering momentum, and has support from groups with diverse economic and political viewpoints. It has been talked about in Germany since the 1970s.