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Efficient redistribution: Comparing basic income with unemployment benefit

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  • FitzRoy, Felix
  • Jin, Jim

Abstract

Given a general utility function and income distribution, we compare two systems of income redistribution: unemployment benefits (UB) conditional on not working and basic income (BI) available to everyone. Based on strong empirical evidence we first focus on extensive margins of labor supply. For any given unemployment level, lowering UB and raising BI always benefits the unemployed, raises utilitarian welfare and benefits a poor majority. Reducing unemployment and UB simultaneously can benefit a majority of the employed as well as all unemployed. Similar results hold even if we allow involuntary unemployment or intensive margins.

Suggested Citation

  • FitzRoy, Felix & Jin, Jim, 2011. "Efficient redistribution: Comparing basic income with unemployment benefit," HWWI Research Papers 107, Hamburg Institute of International Economics (HWWI).
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:hwwirp:107
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Blog mentions

    As found by EconAcademics.org, the blog aggregator for Economics research:
    1. Basic income vs capitalism
      by chris dillow in Stumbling and Mumbling on 2013-07-02 18:34:26

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    Cited by:

    1. Hohenleitner, Ingrid & Hillmann, Katja, 2012. "Impact of Benefit Sanctions on Unemployment Outflow - Evidence from German Survey Data," VfS Annual Conference 2012 (Goettingen): New Approaches and Challenges for the Labor Market of the 21st Century 66055, Verein für Socialpolitik / German Economic Association.
    2. Amir, Rabah & FitzRoy, Felix & Jin, Jim, 2024. "A modest basic income can benefit a poor majority," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 224(C), pages 537-547.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    basic income; unemployment benefits; extensive margins;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H20 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - General
    • D40 - Microeconomics - - Market Structure, Pricing, and Design - - - General

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