Pozitivní společenský dopad koronaviru? Impuls k úvahám o solidaritě, empatii, důstojnosti a základním nepodmíněném příjmu
The positive social impact of coronavirus? A stimulus for considering solidarity, empathy, dignity and the basic unconditional income

Summary/Abstract: The essay considers the negative socio-economic impacts of government measures aimed at eliminating COVID-19 on the material wellbeing of Czech citizens, and how such socio-economic negative impacts can be mitigated by the introduction of the unconditional basic income (UBI). The author proposes that the current situation should be perceived as an opportunity to initiate major social changes, such as the testing and introduction of the UBI, in order to move towards a fairer society that provides dignified life conditions for most of its members. The author suggests that the UBI is by no means a utopian concept; on the contrary, it is a viable social policy that makes sense from the social, environmental and economic stances since it corresponds well to other contemporary debates underway on, particularly, climate change and the new industrial revolution (Industry 4.0). The conclusion section includes an appeal from the author for the Czech Republic to conduct a similar UBI experiment that serves to open a serious debate on this issue.

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