Reconstructing the social contract: integrating universal basic income as a framework for socioeconomic justice

Abstract

Economic insecurity and widening inequality have exposed fundamental shortcomings in modern welfare systems, calling into question the state’s ability to uphold its obligations under the social contract. While social contract theory has long provided the philosophical foundation for governance and distributive justice, existing welfare models often fail to translate these ideals into equitable economic realities. This study therefore investigates how universal basic income (UBI) can be integrated as a modern mechanism to reconstruct the social contract and restore democratic legitimacy in precarious economies. Adopting a conceptual and exploratory mixed-methods approach, the research synthesizes theoretical perspectives from Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, and Rawls with empirical insights drawn from secondary data, expert interviews, and comparative analysis of UBI pilot programs in Finland, Canada, Alaska, Kenya, and recent initiatives in Spain and the United States. The analysis reveals strong public and expert support for UBI as a means of enhancing economic security and social justice, though concerns persist regarding fiscal sustainability and labor market impacts. Comparative findings suggest that UBI’s effects vary by context: while high-income nations report psychological and civic benefits, low-income settings show significant poverty reduction. Overall, the study concludes that UBI offers a viable framework for operationalizing the principles of social contract theory, institutionalizing economic rights, and reimagining state–citizen reciprocity for the twenty-first century.

https://doi.org/10.26803/ijhss.17.2.1