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Maltus de Volneys Thoughts on Taxation
Maltus de Volney (1757-1820) was a French philosopher and economist whose thoughts on taxation during the enlightenment age have been taken up today in government policy and economic theory. De Volney argued that taxation was necessary in order to ensure the continued prosperity of a state, and advocated for a much more progressive system of taxation than what had been in existence at his time. While de Volney’s thoughts had a large impact on the world’s view of taxation for many years, his views are still relevant today and essential for governments to understand when devising taxation plans.
De Volney believed that taxation should be seen as a tool of progress and improvement, rather than a tool of punishment. He argued that taxation should be used to redistribute wealth to those who were most in need and to create a more equal society. He also argued that taxation should be used to fund the state’s infrastructure and services, such as education, healthcare and infrastructure development. De Volney’s view of taxation was rooted in his belief that the state’s purpose was to promote the general welfare and that taxation was the only way to do this.
De Volney argued for a progressive tax system, where those with the greatest wealth would be taxed the most and those with the least income would be taxed the least or not at all. For example, he argued that the wealthiest people should be taxed on a sliding scale, with the highest percentage being reserved for the wealthiest individuals. De Volney also argued that capital gains and inheritance taxes should be used to prevent the wealthy from avoiding taxation. In addition, he argued for tax credits for those with the lowest incomes and advocated for the removal of taxes on the basic necessities of life.
De Volney’s ideas on taxation still influence the way countries approach taxation today. Many countries have adopted a progressive system of taxation and provide tax credits for those with the lowest incomes. In addition, capital gains and inheritance taxes are widely used to prevent wealthy citizens from avoiding taxation. Moreover, countries have eliminated taxes on the basic necessities of life in order to ensure that those with the least income receive some form of financial support.
De Volney’s thoughts on taxation are only part of his economic theory, but they have had a profound impact on the world’s view of taxation. His ideas on progressivity, taxation of the wealthiest, tax credits for the poorest, and removal of taxes on basic necessities are still relevant today. Governments around the world have adopted these ideas, ensuring that their citizens are given a fair and equitable system of taxation. De Volney’s thoughts on taxation demonstrate that taxation can be used as a tool of progress and improvement and is essential to the financial health of a state.