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Keep On Working: Unconditional Basic Income in the Lab

Author

Listed:
  • Haigner Stefan

    (University of Innsbruck,Department of Economics, Universitätsstraße 15/3, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria)

  • Höchtl Wolfgang

    (Austrian National Bank, Banking Inspection Division, Otto-Wagner Platz 3, 1090 Vienna, Austria)

  • Schneider Friedrich Georg

    (Johannes Kepler University, Linz, Department of Economics (Economic Policy), Altenbergerstrasse 69, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria)

  • Wakolbinger Florian

    (Johannes Kepler University, Linz, Department of Economics (Public Economics), Altenbergerstrasse 69, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria)

  • Jenewein Stefan

    (University of Innsbruck, Department of Economics, Universitätsstraße 15/3, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria)

Abstract

Our real-effort laboratory experiment compares an unconditional basic income (UBI) scheme with conventional systems with and without redistribution, respectively. Participants chose between three options: working for themselves, working for the group, or enjoying leisure. Neither the choice of options nor that of work efforts is sensitive to the transfer scheme even though UBI constitutes a natural reference point for participants’ earnings in our experiment. However, UBI significantly reduced income dispersion at only a small cost in terms of forgone production and budget deficit.

Suggested Citation

  • Haigner Stefan & Höchtl Wolfgang & Schneider Friedrich Georg & Wakolbinger Florian & Jenewein Stefan, 2012. "Keep On Working: Unconditional Basic Income in the Lab," Basic Income Studies, De Gruyter, vol. 7(1), pages 1-14, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:bpj:bistud:v:7:y:2012:i:1:p:1-14:n:6
    DOI: 10.1515/1932-0183.1230
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Wakolbinger, Florian & Dreer, Elisabeth & Schneider, Friedrich & Neumärker, Bernhard, 2020. "Konsumsteuer finanziertes BGE in Deutschland," FRIBIS Discussion Paper Series 01-2020, University of Freiburg, Freiburg Institute for Basic Income Studies (FRIBIS).
    2. Jokipalo Veera Amanda, 2019. "Basic Income, Wages, and Productivity: A Laboratory Experiment," Basic Income Studies, De Gruyter, vol. 14(2), pages 1-13, December.
    3. Palermo Kuss, Ana Helena, 2019. "Testing preferences for basic income," The Constitutional Economics Network Working Papers 01-2019, University of Freiburg, Department of Economic Policy and Constitutional Economic Theory.
    4. Verena Löffler, 2021. "Questioning the feasibility and justice of basic income accounting for migration," Politics, Philosophy & Economics, , vol. 20(3), pages 273-314, August.
    5. Palermo Kuss Ana Helena & Neumärker K. J. Bernhard, 2018. "Modelling the Time Allocation Effects of Basic Income," Basic Income Studies, De Gruyter, vol. 13(2), pages 1-15, December.
    6. Manuela A. de Paz-Báñez & María José Asensio-Coto & Celia Sánchez-López & María-Teresa Aceytuno, 2020. "Is There Empirical Evidence on How the Implementation of a Universal Basic Income (UBI) Affects Labour Supply? A Systematic Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-36, November.

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