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Universal basic income: some theoretical aspects

Author

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  • Maitreesh Ghatak
  • François Maniquet

Abstract

In this paper, we review possible theoretical justifications of a universal basic income (UBI) scheme and also examine the determinants of its feasibility and scope. We begin by contrasting the unconditionality of UBI with the many conditions that typically accompany other welfare policies. Possible justifications for an unconditional UBI range from pure normative reasons to practical reasons due to the problem of screening beneficiaries and imperfections in institutions in charge of implementing tax and welfare policies. We also explore theoretically the conditions that determine the feasibility and size of a UBI. The broad picture that emerges from our review is that both normative and practical considerations make UBI easier to defend as a tool of poverty alleviation in poor economies than a tool to achieve social justice in rich ones.
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Suggested Citation

  • Maitreesh Ghatak & François Maniquet, 2019. "Universal basic income: some theoretical aspects," LIDAM Reprints CORE 3056, Université catholique de Louvain, Center for Operations Research and Econometrics (CORE).
    • Handle: RePEc:cor:louvrp:3056
    Note: In : Annual Review of Economics, 11, 895-928, 2019
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    Cited by:

    1. Andreas Schaefer & Maik T. Schneider, 2024. "Public Policy Responses to AI," Graz Economics Papers 2024-06, University of Graz, Department of Economics.
    2. Luduvice, André Victor Doherty, 2024. "The macroeconomic effects of universal basic income programs," Journal of Monetary Economics, Elsevier, vol. 148(C).
    3. Chen, Yunmin & Chien, YiLi & Wen, Yi & Yang, C.C., 2021. "Are unconditional lump-sum transfers a good idea?," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 209(C).
    4. Nicholas Crafts, 2022. "The 15‐Hour Week: Keynes's Prediction Revisited," Economica, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 89(356), pages 815-829, October.
    5. Ugo Colombino & Nizamul Islam, 2025. "Lost jobs, new jobs and optimal tax-transfer reforms," Social Choice and Welfare, Springer;The Society for Social Choice and Welfare, vol. 64(4), pages 765-818, June.
    6. Ugo Colombino & Nizamul Islam, 2021. "Global and digitalised economy, new labour demand scenarios and optimal tax-transfer reforms," CHILD Working Papers Series 90 JEL Classification: H2, Centre for Household, Income, Labour and Demographic Economics (CHILD) - CCA.
    7. Nishant Yonzan & Laxman Timilsina & Inas Rashad Kelly, 2020. "Economic Incentives Surrounding Fertility: Evidence from Alaska's Permanent Fund Dividend," NBER Working Papers 26712, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    8. Fetzer, Thiemo & Shaw, Callum & Edenhofer, Jacob, 2024. "Informational Boundaries of the State," CEPR Discussion Papers 18773, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    9. Paolo G. Piacquadio, 2026. "Lack of opportunities, non-paternalism, and priority to the worst off," Social Choice and Welfare, Springer;The Society for Social Choice and Welfare, vol. 66(1), pages 255-274, February.
    10. Germain, Antoine, 2023. "Basic income versus fairness: redistribution with inactive agents," LIDAM Discussion Papers CORE 2023022, Université catholique de Louvain, Center for Operations Research and Econometrics (CORE).
    11. Colombino, Ugo & Islam, Nizamul, 2022. "The "Robot Economy" and Optimal Tax-Transfer Reforms," IZA Discussion Papers 15198, IZA Network @ LISER.
    12. Diego Daruich & Raquel Fernández, 2024. "Universal Basic Income: A Dynamic Assessment," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 114(1), pages 38-88, January.
    13. Kurita, Kenichi, 2021. "Comparative institutional analysis of poverty-alleviation systems: Does basic income improve social welfare?," MPRA Paper 107177, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    14. Thomas Klikauer, 2023. "Book Review: Re-Union – How Bold Labor Reforms Can Repair, Revitalize, and Reunite the United States," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 29(1), pages 157-160, February.
    15. Maitreesh Ghatak, 2024. "Direct transfer policies for the poor," Journal of Social and Economic Development, Springer;Institute for Social and Economic Change, vol. 26(1), pages 17-27, October.
    16. Gubello, Michele, 2024. "Social trust and the support for universal basic income," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    17. Marco Guerrazzi, 2022. "How Long does a Generation Last? Assessing the Relationship Between Infinite and Finite Horizon Dynamic Models," Economic Papers, The Economic Society of Australia, vol. 41(1), pages 89-98, March.
    18. 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.
    19. Franke, Marcel, 2022. "Transfer in a conflict model as a reason for (unconditional) basic income," FRIBIS Discussion Paper Series 03-2022, University of Freiburg, Freiburg Institute for Basic Income Studies (FRIBIS).
    20. Yonzan, Nishant & Timilsina, Laxman & Kelly, Inas Rashad, 2024. "Economic incentives surrounding fertility: Evidence from Alaska’s permanent fund dividend," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 52(C).
    21. Ugo Colombino & Nizamul Islam, 2022. "The “Robot Economy†and optimal tax-transfer reforms," CHILD Working Papers Series 101 JEL Classification: H, Centre for Household, Income, Labour and Demographic Economics (CHILD) - CCA.
    22. Verena Löffler, 2021. "Questioning the feasibility and justice of basic income accounting for migration," Politics, Philosophy & Economics, , vol. 20(3), pages 273-314, August.
    23. Mookherjee, Dilip & Napel, Stefan, 2021. "Welfare rationales for conditionality of cash transfers," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 151(C).
    24. Ghatak, Maitreesh & Jaravel, Xavier, 2020. "Is funding a large universal basic income feasible? A quantitative analysis of UBI with endogenous labour supply," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 108533, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D31 - Microeconomics - - Distribution - - - Personal Income and Wealth Distribution
    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement
    • H24 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Personal Income and Other Nonbusiness Taxes and Subsidies
    • H31 - Public Economics - - Fiscal Policies and Behavior of Economic Agents - - - Household
    • I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs

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