The idea of paying people an income regardless of whether they are doing or looking for work may seem crazy. However, the provision of an unconditional basic income to every individual - both rich and poor, both economically active and inactive - was advocated by such major thinkers as Thomas Payne, John Stuart Mill and John Kenneth Galbraith. For a long time, this idea was not taken seriously. Today, as the traditional welfare state creaks under increased pressure, basic income has become the world's most widely discussed social policy project.