Universal Basic Income (UBI) is the hugely ambitious policy of granting a small income to every person, unconditionally as a right of citizenship. Usually, a “full” UBI is considered to be enough to meet basic needs, while anything less is a “partial” UBI (USBIG Network 2011). In the post-financial crisis days of austerity, cutbacks, and retrenchment it might seem that such a policy is too ambitious to be worth discussing in the current political climate, especially in the United States. But this chapter will argue that UBI is (and should be) an important part of the political dialogue today. Part 1 defines the concept of UBI more thoroughly and shows how it differs from traditional welfare policies. Part 2 gives a brief history of the idea right up to the present, showing that UBI is an important part of the current debate in many parts of the world and that increasing evidence in its favor is being found. Part 3 discusses the inherent importance of UBI. Part 4 discusses how ambitious policies such as UBI can overcome the hostility of the current political climate in industrialized countries, focusing on the United States as an example.