Eastern block countries had nothing but a basic job, i.e. no private sector. I'm not advocating this.
I also don't don't propose that the basic job should pay well at all - the pay should be well below market so you always have an incentive to get a real job.
> Eastern block countries had nothing but a basic job, i.e. no private sector.
From what I remember from my childhood there was some very limited private sector. Trust me, much damage on the psyche was done not by not allowing people to start companies but by bringing all to places where they couldn't do much and giving them money for just sitting there (and usually drinking copiously).
I also don't don't propose that the basic job should pay well at all - the pay should be well below market so you always have an incentive to get a real job.