Bedingungsloses und solidarisches Grundeinkommen – Konzepte in der Diskussion
Trotz günstiger Beschäftigungslage laufen Langzeitarbeitslose immer noch Gefahr, den Anschluss an den ersten Arbeitsmarkt zu verlieren. Zudem gibt es die Sorge, dass sich diese Entwicklung durch den technologischen Wandel noch verstärken wird. Wäre ein bedingungsloses Grundeinkommen die richtige Antwort? Kann ein solidarisches Grundeinkommen das Bürgergeld nach SGB II weiterentwickeln oder sogar ablösen? Dieses Themendossier stellt wissenschaftliche Literatur zum Thema zusammen und wirft einen Blick auf die aktuelle Diskussion.
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Literaturhinweis
Macroeconomic Observations on Paying for and Funding Universal Basic Income (2025)
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Sawyer, Malcolm (2025): Macroeconomic Observations on Paying for and Funding Universal Basic Income. In: Basic Income Studies, Jg. 19, H. 2, S. 227-252. DOI:10.1515/bis-2023-0032
Abstract
"The paper undertakes macroeconomic analysis of Universal Basic Income (UBI). It focuses on issues of paying for and the funding of universal basic income. A number of proposals are examined and the limitations of borrowing and money creation for the funding of UBI are indicated. It is generally argued that funding of UBI should be examined in terms of funding through taxation. The effects of UBI on employment and national output and the macroeconomic limits on the scale on UBI in terms of work force participation and tax rates are investigated." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))
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Literaturhinweis
Unconditional Endowment and Acceptance of Taxes: A Lab-in-the-Field Experiment on UBI with Unemployed (2025)
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Tena Estrada, Blanca & Nhat Luong (2025): Unconditional Endowment and Acceptance of Taxes: A Lab-in-the-Field Experiment on UBI with Unemployed. In: Basic Income Studies, Jg. 19, H. 2, S. 307-333. DOI:10.1515/bis-2023-0003
Abstract
"A universal basic income (UBI) would be a guaranteed income floor for both the employed and the unemployed, from which economic theory predicts a gain in bargaining power and a disincentive to work. For high earners, the increase in taxes necessary to fund this program would decrease their motivation to earn. To assess these aspects, we conducted a lab-in-the-field experiment at a State Employment Service office in Spain. The unemployed participants received either an initial unconditional endowment, framed under the logic of the solidarity condition of UBI (UBI treatment) – to examine the taxes’ effect – or as a participation fee (FEE) or no initial endowment (NONUBI). Subsequently, they faced one default randomized task from a set of four paid real-effort tasks. To study bargaining power, they could change the task up to three times and/or skip all tasks and conclude the experiment. In the FEE treatment, they yielded the highest earnings. While we did not find a statistically significant difference in earnings between the FEE and the NON-UBI treatments, the UBI differed from the NON-UBI and FEE. A likely reason could be a crowding-out of motivation by the pressure to reciprocate without believing in other participants’ deservingness of the UBI. In addition, the results reveal that females change tasks more frequently than males." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))
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Literaturhinweis
A modest basic income can benefit a poor majority (2024)
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Amir, Rabah, Felix Fitzroy & Jim Jin (2024): A modest basic income can benefit a poor majority. In: Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Jg. 224, S. 537-547. DOI:10.1016/j.jebo.2024.05.019
Abstract
"Given a general utility and income distribution and positive unemployment benefits, we analyze the impact of a universal basic income (UBI) financed by an income tax and reducing unemployment benefits. With extensive margins only and identical fixed costs of work, we show that UBI can benefit a poor majority. Plausible conditions can ensure similar results with different fixed costs. With both extensive and intensive margins but identical fixed costs, a modest UBI can still benefit a poor majority provided the income weighted tax elasticity of labor supply from intensive margins is less than the non-employment rate, which is usually true." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, © 2024 Elsevier) ((en))
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Literaturhinweis
Zeitsouveränität, Neues Normalarbeitsverhältnis und Sozialstaat 4.0 – Plädoyer für ein Lebensarbeitszeitkonto (2024)
Amlinger, Marc; Zimmermann, Eileen; Kellermann, Christian; Markert, Cornelius; Schmidt, Jürgen; Winkler, Mareike; Jacobi, Aljoscha ; Petersen, Benjamin Henry; Neumann, Horst;Zitatform
Amlinger, Marc, Aljoscha Jacobi, Christian Kellermann, Cornelius Markert, Horst Neumann, Benjamin Henry Petersen, Jürgen Schmidt, Mareike Winkler & Eileen Zimmermann (2024): Zeitsouveränität, Neues Normalarbeitsverhältnis und Sozialstaat 4.0 – Plädoyer für ein Lebensarbeitszeitkonto. (IGZA-Arbeitspapier 4), Berlin, 137 S.
Abstract
"Die Diskussion um die Zukunft der sozialen Sicherung ist in vollem Gange. Wesentliche Triebkräfte sind (alte und neue) Einkommensrisiken sowie neue Anforderungen an Arbeitszeiten, die im Zusammenhang mit der zunehmenden Digitalisierung und Automatisierung von Arbeit stehen. Zentrale Diskursstränge sind dabei die Debatte über die Veränderung des ‚Normalarbeitsverhältnisses‘ und seine Zukunft in einem ,Sozialstaat 4.0‘, sowie die Debatte über ein ‚Bedingungsloses Grundeinkommen‘ (BGE). Im vorliegenden Papier analysieren wir die Entwicklung und Struktur der Sozialen Sicherungs- und der Arbeitszeitsysteme für eine kreative Weiterentwicklung traditioneller und neuer Ansätze zur Grundsicherung. Wir verfolgen die These, dass die heutigen Sozialversicherungen und Sozialhilfesysteme bereits wesentliche Bausteine einer Bürgerversicherung, sowie eines Grundeinkommens und von Lebensarbeitszeitkonten enthalten. Ihre Transformation in universalistische Institutionen zur Grundsicherung, die die selbst gewählten Arbeitsauszeiten finanzieren, kombiniert mit individuellen Freiheitsgraden der Einkommensverbesserung wird vor dem Hintergrund weiterer Produktivitätsgewinne der digitalen Revolution, kürzerer Arbeitszeiten und ‚Neuer Normalarbeitsverhältnisse‘ im 21. Jahrhundert realisierbar" (Textauszug, IAB-Doku)
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Literaturhinweis
From theory to practice: Designing a European basic income (2024)
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Bollain, Julen, Jordi Arcarons, Daniel Raventos & Lluís Torrens (2024): From theory to practice: Designing a European basic income. In: Poverty & public policy, Jg. 16, H. 4, S. 323-351. DOI:10.1002/pop4.415
Abstract
"Basic income, a periodic cash payment unconditionally delivered to all accredited residents on an individual basis, has garnered a great deal of attention in recent years driven by rising inequalities, the failure of minimum income schemes, labor market transformations, and diverse basic income pilot projects worldwide. However, the successful implementation of a basic income requires a comprehensive and sustained effort. This research contributes to this endeavor by providing an unprecedented microsimulation analysis of the economic feasibility of a European Basic Income (EBI), demonstrating that it can be financed sustainably and equitably without reducing existing tax revenues. The proposed EBI, financed through a reform of the personal income tax and the introduction of common European wealth and greenhouse gas emissions taxes, ensures the material existence of all Europeans and fosters a more egalitarian European Union through its redistributive effects." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))
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Literaturhinweis
Bedingungsloses vs. haushaltstyp- und wohnortabhängiges Grundeinkommen: Simulation verschiedener Reformszenarien für Deutschland (2024)
Bätz, Benjamin; Becker, Susanne ; Isaak, Niklas; Englmann, Frank; Calisse, Frank; Thiele, Jonathan; Jessen, Robin ;Zitatform
Bätz, Benjamin, Susanne Becker, Frank Calisse, Frank Englmann, Niklas Isaak, Robin Jessen & Jonathan Thiele (2024): Bedingungsloses vs. haushaltstyp- und wohnortabhängiges Grundeinkommen: Simulation verschiedener Reformszenarien für Deutschland. In: Perspektiven der Wirtschaftspolitik, Jg. 25, H. 3-4, S. 273-285. DOI:10.1515/pwp-2023-0036
Abstract
"Das Bedingungslose Grundeinkommen (BGE) zählt zu den bekanntesten Vorschlägen für eine Reform der Grundsicherung. Befürworter*innen erhoffen sich eine Vereinfachung des Sozialstaats. Frank Englmann, Robin Jessen, Benjamin Bätz, Susanne Becker, Frank Calisse, Niklas Isaak und Jonathan Thiele zeigen in diesem Beitrag, dass bei Einführung eines Grundeinkommens indes nur eine Auswahl an bestehenden Sozialleistungen wegfallen könnte. Die Autor*innen untersuchen via Mikrosimulation die Verteilungswirkung dreier Reformszenarien bei Einführung eines Grundeinkommens und gleichzeitiger Streichung ausgewählter Sozialleistungen. Die Gegenfinanzierung erfolgt jeweils durch Varianten einer Einkommensteuererhöhung. Wenn man zu erwartende Arbeitsangebotsreaktionen ins Kalkül einbezieht, sind die untersuchten BGE-Reformen nicht finanzierbar – zielgenauere Alternativszenarien, die den jeweiligen Haushaltskontext und die Mietkosten berücksichtigen, hingegen schon. Im Vergleich zum Status quo erfolgt in allen Szenarien eine starke Umverteilung nach unten." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku, © De Gruyter)
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Literaturhinweis
Universal Basic Income: A Dynamic Assessment (2024)
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Daruich, Diego & Raquel Fernández (2024): Universal Basic Income: A Dynamic Assessment. In: The American economic review, Jg. 114, H. 1, S. 38-88. DOI:10.1257/aer.20221099
Abstract
"Universal basic income (UBI) is an increasingly popular policy proposal, but there is no evidence regarding its longer-term consequences. We find that UBI generates large welfare losses in a general equilibrium model with imperfect capital markets, labor market shocks, and intergenerational linkages via skill formation and transfers. This conclusion is robust to various alternative ways of financing UBI. By using observationally equivalent models that eliminate different sources of endogenous dynamic linkages (equilibrium capital market and parental investment in child skills), we show that the latter are largely responsible for the negative welfare consequences." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))
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Literaturhinweis
Basic income in crisis? (Hard) lessons from the pandemic (2024)
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De Wispelaere, Jurgen, Joe Chrisp & Leticia Morales (2024): Basic income in crisis? (Hard) lessons from the pandemic. In: Global Policy, S. 1-8. DOI:10.1111/1758-5899.13461
Abstract
"This short paper reflects on the key lessons we can learn from the political debate around and policy experimentation with (emergency) basic income schemes in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. While the pandemic crisis initially seems to have opened up a policy window for introducing a basic income as a crisis instrument, theoretical arguments and empirical observations strongly suggest the reliance of some basic income advocates on crisis events, such as the pandemic, to push forward their policy ideas involves wishful thinking rather than political reality. A feasible roadmap towards introducing basic income requires the hard work of raising public awareness, constructing broad constituencies, and building robust political coalitions rather than waiting for the next crisis to come around the corner." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))
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Literaturhinweis
Viral cash: Basic income trials, policy mutation, and post-austerity politics in U.S. cities (2024)
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Doussard, Marc (2024): Viral cash: Basic income trials, policy mutation, and post-austerity politics in U.S. cities. In: Environment and planning. A, Economy and space, Jg. 56, H. 3, S. 927-942. DOI:10.1177/0308518X231203083
Abstract
"During the covid-19 pandemic, basic income pilot programs spread across U.S. cities like the novel coronavirus itself. The policy of no-strings-attached cash transfers marks a potentially significant change in the development of post-austerity politics, but only if basic income programs can endure beyond their trial phase. This paper centers the phenomenon of viral cash—cash transfer programs that mutate and multiply like the coronavirus to which they respond—as a means of assessing the possible pathways from trial programs to standing policy. Drawing on case studies of pilot programs in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Denver, I argue that basic income pilots extend beyond their end-date by creating individual and institutional constituencies invested in unconditional cash transfers. Focusing on these constituencies draws attention to basic income’s role in popularizing child tax credits, program cash stipends and other policy reforms recently enacted by cities and states. Seen this way, basic income’s virus-like susceptibility to mutation plays a key role in seeding support for urban policies and politics that counter prior austerity by centering investment in human capacity." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))
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Literaturhinweis
Social protection 2.0: Unemployment and minimum income benefits (2024)
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Dubois, Hans, Marie Hyland & Klára Fóti (2024): Social protection 2.0: Unemployment and minimum income benefits. (Eurofound research report / European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions), Dublin, 86 S. DOI:10.2806/0704651
Abstract
"Social protection includes a range of monetary and in-kind entitlements. This report focuses on unemployment and minimum income benefits for people of working age. These include lower-tier unemployment benefits in the 12 Member States where they exist, for people whose higher-tier benefits have run out or who cannot access them. These benefits cushion against decreases in income due to unemployment and prevent income from dropping below a certain level. The report maps coverage gaps, non-take-up and inadequacy, and how these benefits are tied to entitlements and access to services. It discusses digital application procedures, application rejections, financial (dis)incentives for benefit recipients to engage in work or training, and recipient characteristics." (Text excerpt, IAB-Doku) ((en))
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Literaturhinweis
Bedingungsloses Grundeinkommen: Teuer und wirkungslos selbst für Bedürftige (2024)
Enste, Dominik;Zitatform
Enste, Dominik (2024): Bedingungsloses Grundeinkommen: Teuer und wirkungslos selbst für Bedürftige. (IW-Kurzberichte / Institut der Deutschen Wirtschaft Köln 2024,69), Köln, 4 S.
Abstract
"Das bedingungslose Grundeinkommen (BGE) fasziniert Menschen immer wieder. Eine aktuelle, großangelegte, methodisch anspruchsvolle Studie aus den USA belegt nun - in der Eindeutigkeit durchaus überraschend - die weitgehende Wirkungslosigkeit sowohl im Hinblick auf Lebenszufriedenheit, Stress und Gesundheit als auch bezogen auf Investitionen in Aus- und Weiterbildung - trotz Fokus auf Personen aus niedrigen Einkommensschichten. Das BGE ist somit nicht für Steuerzahler, sondern auch für die Empfänger eher ein Alptraum als ein Traum." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)
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Literaturhinweis
Needs for Security and Certainty Relate Differently to Support for Universal Basic Income Versus Other Social Safety Net Programs (2024)
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Federico, Christopher & Caitlyn N. Barrett (2024): Needs for Security and Certainty Relate Differently to Support for Universal Basic Income Versus Other Social Safety Net Programs. (SocArXiv papers), 75 S. DOI:10.31235/osf.io/5gxav
Abstract
"Needs for security and certainty (NSC) vary in their relationship with economic preferences as a function of political engagement. Among those low in engagement, NSC is directly related to left-leaning economic preferences, since social welfare can be regarded as insurance. Among those high in engagement, NSC predicts right-wing economic preferences, since engaged individuals high in NSC take cues from right-leaning elites suggesting that support for redistribution is inconsistent with conservative ideological and partisan identities. In this study, we argue that this ‘reversal’ is less applicable to universal basic income (UBI), since the latter is an unconditional benefit that detaches welfare provision from specific situations of risk (e.g., unemployment insurance). This should shift individuals to think of provision in terms of moral hazard (e.g., work avoidance) in the context of UBI. Using Round 8 of the European Social Survey, we test and find support for several hypotheses based on this argument." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))
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Literaturhinweis
Dimensions of controversy: Investigating the structure of public support for universal basic income in the Netherlands (2024)
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Gielens, Erwin, Femke Roosma & Peter Achterberg (2024): Dimensions of controversy: Investigating the structure of public support for universal basic income in the Netherlands. In: International Journal of Social Welfare, Jg. 33, H. 2, S. 393-412. DOI:10.1111/ijsw.12607
Abstract
"As interest in universal basic income (UBI) policy has peaked in recent years, the study of public support for such a policy is rapidly developing. While recent studies recognise the multidimensionality of the UBI proposal, we still know little about to what extent support for UBI is unambiguously supported or rejected. We show that the public holds distinct but related opinions towards three dimensions of UBI: universalism, redistribution and unconditionality. The higher and lower educated are equally ambivalent towards the policy, suggesting a lack of political entrenchment towards UBI in Dutch society. Post hoc comparisons show that key demographics and constituencies support some dimensions while rejecting others, enabling both compromise and division on the issue. Despite these distinct controversies, however, the strong correlation between attitudinal dimensions suggests that survey experiments tend to overstate the degree of multidimensionality by ignoring the strong commonalities in support for policy aspects." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, Published by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons) ((en))
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Literaturhinweis
Social trust and the support for universal basic income (2024)
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Gubello, Michele (2024): Social trust and the support for universal basic income. In: European Journal of Political Economy, Jg. 81. DOI:10.1016/j.ejpoleco.2023.102495
Abstract
"This paper presents a theoretical model showing how political mistrust affects people’s preferences for Universal Basic Income (UBI) when its implementation involves a reduction in spending for other public services (welfare retrenchment). The model shows that individuals with lower levels of political mistrust are more likely to endorse UBI, reflecting their trust in the government’s ability to managepublic resources and avoid wasteful retrenchment of other public services. The model also shows that generalised mistrust – characterized by agents’ expectations of their fellow citizens’ misbehavior that can reduce the government’s fiscal capacity – does not significantly influence preferences for UBI when it involves a partial retrenchment of other public services. This result is driven by the agents’ perception that their fellow citizens’ misbehavior would occur irrespective of the UBI implementation. The empirical analysis with 265 European regions from the European Social Survey (ESS) confirms the predictions of the model." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, © 2024 Elsevier) ((en))
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Literaturhinweis
Flash in the pan or eureka moment? What can be learned from Australia's natural experiment with basic income during COVID-19 (2024)
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Henderson, Troy, Ben Spies-Butcher & Elise Klein (2024): Flash in the pan or eureka moment? What can be learned from Australia's natural experiment with basic income during COVID-19. In: International social security review, Jg. 77, H. 1-2, S. 103-120. DOI:10.1111/issr.12356
Abstract
"Die COVID-19-Pandemie hatte weit verbreitete sozial- und wirtschaftspolitische Experimente zur Folge, da die Regierungen versuchten, während der wirtschaftlichen Lockdowns ihre Finanzhaushalte zu schützen. Geldtransfers erwiesen sich als eine der beliebtesten politischen Maßnahmen, und vielerorts wurden auch Überlegungen angestellt, wie man durch vorübergehende oder Notfallmaßnahmen ein universelles Grundeinkommen einführen könnte. Als Beispiel für diese Versuche haben wir Australiens Reaktion auf die Pandemie ins Auge gefasst und hier insbesondere die australische Coronahilfe (COVID Supplement). Eine Untersuchung ihres Charakters als Notfall-Grundeinkommen ergibt, dass diese Maßnahme das Ergebnis der institutionellen Strukturen und Normen, der nationalen und internationalen politischen Lernmechanismen und der Besonderheiten des australischen Wohn- und Arbeitsmarkts ist. Obwohl die Maßnahme nur befristet war, diskutieren wir, inwiefern ihr offensichtlicher Erfolg weiter von politischer Bedeutung sein könnte, entweder als eine Art finanzielles „Krisenmanagement“ oder als ein alternativer Weg zur Einführung von Formen des Grundeinkommens." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku, Published by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons)
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Literaturhinweis
Universal Basic Income: Inspecting the Mechanisms (2024)
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Jaimovich, Nir, Itay Saporta-Eksten, Ofer Setty & Yaniv Yedid-Levi (2024): Universal Basic Income: Inspecting the Mechanisms. In: The Review of Economics and Statistics, S. 1-27. DOI:10.1162/rest_a_01474
Abstract
"We examine the mechanisms driving the aggregate and distributional impacts of Universal Basic Income (UBI) through model analysis of various UBI programs and financing schemes. The main adverse effect is the distortionary tax increase to fund UBI, reducing labor force participation. Secondary channels are a decline in demand for self-insurance, depressing aggregate capital, and a positive income effect that further deters labor force participation. Due to these channels, introducing UBI alongside existing social programs reduces output and average welfare. Partially substituting existing programs with UBI mitigates the adverse effects, increases average welfare, but does not deliver a Pareto improvement." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, © MIT Press Journals) ((en))
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Literaturhinweis
Universal Basic Income as a Response to Automation? Attitudes of Human Translators Facing Neural Machine Translation (2024)
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Kılıç, Azer (2024): Universal Basic Income as a Response to Automation? Attitudes of Human Translators Facing Neural Machine Translation. In: Critical Sociology. DOI:10.1177/08969205241279262
Abstract
"How do professionals who may be at risk of job loss due to AI-driven automation view a universal basic income (UBI) as a policy response to technological unemployment? This article examines the attitudes of translators from Turkey, a country with the highest perceived technological risks across the OECD. Based on interviews, the article reveals varying views on UBI, the framings of which reflect participants’ political views and understandings of capitalist societies. While some participants depict a perspective of economic individualism, emphasizing individual responsibility and a work ethic in opposing UBI, others advocate an anti-capitalist outlook, promoting collective action yet appearing skeptical of UBI. However, a majority supports UBI as a social right. Furthermore, those concerned about job or wage loss are primarily found among those who favor UBI and those who specialize as freelancers in areas perceived as more susceptible to automation, suggesting that job insecurity shapes views of UBI." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))
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Literaturhinweis
Basic Income Advocates, Sober Up (2024)
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Marx, Ive (2024): Basic Income Advocates, Sober Up. (IZA discussion paper / Forschungsinstitut zur Zukunft der Arbeit 16757), Bonn, 25 S.
Abstract
"Basic income advocates see a universal income grant, no questions asked, as bringing many potential benefits, not in the least as an ironclad protection against poverty, if set high enough. It is hard to know with any certainty what a world with a sizeable basic income would look like but we can make theoretically and empirically informed guesses about its likely first-round impacts. Neither the insights we get from (quasi-)experimental research nor those from (micro-)simulation modelling are very encouraging. The estimated first-round effects on poverty are for the most part disappointing, especially in countries with comparatively well-functioning social protection systems. Aggregate employment is likely to fall, especially affecting women. It requires an enormous leap of faith to assume that the effects further down the road would be miraculously better. Moreover, there seems to be a vast gap between what people think a basic income would bring them and how it would actually impact them. Under any plausible scenario there would be many net losers. In short, there are few sound reasons at this time to argue for replacing the better performing social protection systems currently in place with a basic income, especially if a more adequate social floor is the main concern." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))
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Literaturhinweis
(Un)conditional Basic Income and Participation Income: A Review of Its Micro- and Macro-Economic Effects (2024)
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Somers, Melline A., Ruud J. A. Muffels & Annemarie Kuenn-Nelen (2024): (Un)conditional Basic Income and Participation Income: A Review of Its Micro- and Macro-Economic Effects. In: De Economist. DOI:10.1007/s10645-024-09447-1
Abstract
"This paper reviews 41 studies on the micro and macro-economic effects of (Un)conditional Basic Income (UBI/CBI), Negative Income Tax, and Participation Income related programs in middle- and high-income countries. These programs aim to provide a Guaranteed Minimum Income either for the population at large or for specific groups such as the unemployed. Compared to previous review studies in the field, it advances by examining the broader (un)intended effects on income, (mental) health, subjective well-being and social outcomes. We find that recent US/Canada studies re-estimating the negative labor supply effects found in older studies report much lower and even insignificant estimates. The studies on European programmes and experiments show slightly more positive but still mostly insignificant labor supply effects. However, more positive and significant effects on subjective well-being, mental health, and trust were found, particularly in recent European studies. Similar effects were observed in recent Canadian and US studies." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, © Springer-Verlag) ((en))
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Literaturhinweis
Poverty constructions and discursive strategies employed by participants in the Finnish Basic Income Experiment (2024)
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Tarkiainen, Laura, Helena Blomberg & Christian Kroll (2024): Poverty constructions and discursive strategies employed by participants in the Finnish Basic Income Experiment. In: Discourse & society. DOI:10.1177/09579265241284649
Abstract
"In this article, we examine how eighty-one participants in the Finnish Basic Income Experiment discursively construct and make sense of their own and others’ poverty in face-to-face interviews. Using Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), we identified three discursive strategies the interviewees use to engage with and challenge culturally dominant poverty discourses. First, poverty was constructed as a tragic experience attributed to external causes beyond individual control, such as precarious labor markets and governmental policies. Second, poverty was managed discursively through explicit and implicit moral judgements about other welfare recipients, which also highlighted the speakers’ own moral values regarding responsibility and self-sufficiency. Third, some interviewees discursively constructed their low-income status as a personal and deliberate choice to live an intentionally modest, sustainable or ‘deviant’ lifestyle. Overall, our results reveal how ideologically controversial sociopolitical experiments create a particular argumentative context in which poverty talk is constructed." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))