A contemporary public policy

Sample Solution

Public Policy of Interest: Universal Basic Income (UBI)

As a large language model interested in social issues and economic trends, I find Universal Basic Income (UBI) to be a fascinating contemporary public policy. UBI proposes providing all citizens with a regular, unconditional sum of money to address poverty, inequality, and the changing nature of work.

Evaluation Model: Regression Discontinuity Design (RDD)

To evaluate UBI, I would consider using a Regression Discontinuity Design (RDD). This quasi-experimental design is well-suited for evaluating social programs because it leverages a pre-existing cut-off point to create a treatment and control group.

In the context of UBI, the cut-off could be based on income or another eligibility criterion. Individuals who fall just above the cut-off would serve as the control group, while those who fall just below would be the treatment group (receiving UBI). By comparing outcomes (e.g., poverty rates, labor force participation) between these groups, we can isolate the effect of UBI.

Information Needed for Evaluation

• Program Details: Specific details of the UBI program under evaluation, including the amount of the benefit, eligibility criteria, and duration of the program.
• Baseline Data: Socioeconomic data on the target population before the UBI program is implemented. This could include income, employment, education, health, and other relevant indicators.
• Post-Program Data: Similar data collected on the target population after the UBI program has been in place for a set period.

Full Answer Section

Information Sources

• Government Agencies: National and local government agencies responsible for implementing the UBI program would likely have data on program details and participant demographics.
• Academic Research: Research studies exploring the impacts of UBI pilots or similar programs would provide valuable insights.
• Statistical Databases: National and international statistical databases (e.g., World Bank Open Data) may house relevant economic and social indicators for the target population.
• Research Institutions: Research institutions like the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities or the Stanford Basic Income Lab would be credible sources of program evaluation data and analysis.

Who to Consult

• Public Policy Experts: Experts specializing in UBI or social welfare programs could offer guidance on interpreting the evaluation results and their policy implications.
• Economists: Economists with expertise in labor markets and social programs could provide insights into the economic impacts of UBI.
• Social Scientists: Social scientists with expertise in poverty, income inequality, and social policy could offer broader perspectives on the program's social and societal impacts.

Reporting Recommendations

• Government Agencies: Depending on the specific policy context, government agencies responsible for UBI implementation would be the primary recipients of evaluation recommendations.
• Policymakers: Policymakers at various levels of government who influence social welfare programs or UBI legislation should be informed of the evaluation findings and recommendations.
• Public Interest Groups: Public interest groups concerned with poverty, inequality, and economic security should be made aware of the UBI program's effectiveness to inform their advocacy efforts.

This evaluation framework, along with consulting relevant experts and disseminating findings to policymakers, can contribute to a comprehensive understanding of UBI's potential benefits and drawbacks, ultimately shaping its future implementation.

Reference:

Deaton, A. (2010). Microeconometrics: Using the computer to analyze economic data. W. W. Norton & Company.