| Summary: | Since the 1990s, there has been a growing interest for economic cash transfers as development policy tools. Thus, this thesis aims to study basic income as a development policy idea. From its postcolonial and feminist theoretical framework, a question about potential arises. Can basic income promote development without further enforcing global marginalization and colonial structures? Basic income is a relatively new idea in the development policy debate. Thereby, empirical examples are few. Because of this, the thesis studies the scientific discourse on basic incomeas a development policy idea. This is done through discourse analysis based upon postcolonialand feminist theory. Theory and research on microcredit are further taken into consideration. Thus, the thesis investigates how identity and development processes are made within thescientific discourse. The analysis identifies an antagonism between the identities available to the potential recipients. An identity that is free in its form is made impossible since rationality and autonomy are vital for development on an individual and a societal level. Additionally, development is constructed as a linear and cumulative process, which strengthens the hegemonic power of the west. The analysis shows that the basic income is affected by neoliberal dominance. Hence, basic income, as presented in the material of this study, hasminor chances of promoting sustainable and worthy development for individuals in the third world.
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