A Feasible Basic Income Scheme for Germany

Effects on Labor Supply, Poverty, and Income Inequality
Softcover Nachdruck of the original 1. Auflage 2016
ISBN: 978-3-319-79575-1
Verlag: Springer International Publishing

Buch, Englisch, 198 Seiten, Paperback, Format (B × H): 155 mm x 235 mm, Gewicht: 3401 g

Reihe: Contributions to Economics

This book analyzes the consequences that would arise if Germany’s means-tested unemployment benefits were replaced with an unconditional basic income. The basic income scheme introduced is based on a negative income tax and calibrated to be both financially feasible and compatible with current constitutional legislation. Using data from the German Socio-Economic Panel (GSOEP) the author examines the impact of the reform on the household labor supply as well as on both poverty and inequality measures. It is shown that by applying reasonable values for both the basic income and the implied marginal tax rate imposed on earned incomes, efficiency gains can be reconciled with generally accepted value statements. Furthermore, as the proposal includes a universal basic income for families, child poverty could be reduced considerably. The estimates are based on the discrete choice approach to labor supply.

Zielgruppe

Research

Autoren/Hrsg.

Sommer, Maximilian

Fachgebiete

• Sozialwissenschaften Politikwissenschaft Regierungspolitik Sozialpolitik
• Wirtschaftswissenschaften Volkswirtschaftslehre Wohlfahrtsökonomie

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Introduction.- The Normative Argument for an Unconditional Basic Income.- Implementation of a Basic Income by a Negative Income Tax.- A Negative Income Tax Proposal for Germany.- Modeling Political Reforms: The Discrete Approach to Labor Supply.- Implications on the Proposed Basic Income Reform.