Základní nepodmíněný příjem: Utopie nebo reálná alternativa současného státu blahobytu?

The thesis maps a reform proposal of social safety net barely discussed in Czech literature proposing replacement of conditional means-tested schemes by a single regular unconditional social transfer to all citizens. The thesis offers a short intellectual history of basic income followed by discussion of philosophical aspects which proves its compatibility with three best-known liberal theories of justice. Subsequently the main economic arguments of proponents and opponents of the concept are presented and confronted with empirical evidence. Expected pitfalls of practical implementation and political feasibility aspects are also briefly outlined. The final part of the thesis offers highly stylized simulation of redistribution effect of a modest basic income in the Czech Republic. Using the method proposed by Browning and Johnson (1984) the simulation is supplemented by an estimation of impacts on Czech employee's household labor supply. The thesis conclude that although the basic income has potential to eliminated a lot of inefficiencies present in current systems and to solve poverty and inequality issues, due to high level of uncertainty regarding the question of labor motivation impacts, currently it cannot be viewed as a realistic reform alternative.