Session Overview
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A key element of government policy that determines how much we can redistribute among households is the tax rate. The tax rate is used to raise revenues, which can then be used in government programs. What type of taxes we should use and how high tax rates should be are major questions that economics attempts to answer. This lecture provides an introduction to the economics of taxation. The Capitol Building, where the United States Congress proposes economic policy such as tax rates. Image courtesy of Ed Marshall on Flickr. |
Keywords: Social insurance; asymmetric information; social security; moral hazard; EITC.
Session Activities
Readings
Before watching the lecture video, read the course textbook for an introduction to the material covered in this session:
- [R&T] Chapter 15, “Public Finance and Public Choice.”
Lecture Videos
Resources
Check Yourself
Concept Quiz
This concept quiz covers key vocabulary terms and also tests your intuitive understanding of the material covered in this session. Complete this quiz before moving on to the next session to make sure you understand the concepts required to solve the mathematical and graphical problems that are the basis of this course.
Question 1
What is one reason that a consumption tax may be preferable to an income tax?
The correct answer is a consumption tax encourages savings (by making consumption relatively more expensive), and it allows the government to discourage the consumption of certain goods (e.g., cigarettes or alcohol). These may be goods that have negative externalities, or goods that we believe people have difficulty in resisting and thus should be discouraged from eating. A consumption tax is also regressive, but we generally believe that this is a disadvantage, not an advantage, of a consumption tax.
Question 2
What is the definition of a targeted government benefit or program?
The correct answer is a targeted government benefit or program is only available to those that need the program or households that meet specified criteria. A universal program is available to everyone (the opposite of targeting). A regressive program is one that benefits the rich more than the poor.
Further Study
These optional resources are provided for students that wish to explore this topic more fully.
Other OCW and OER Content
| CONTENT | PROVIDER | NOTES |
|---|---|---|
| 14.41 Public Finance and Public Policy, Fall 2010. | MIT OpenCourseWare | An in-depth course on the government’s role in the economy. |
