Law, Politics, and the Making of the Modern American Fiscal State
FAIN: FA-52614-06
Ajay K. Mehrotra
Trustees of Indiana University (Bloomington, IN 47405-7000)
At the turn of the 20th century, the U.S. system of public finance underwent a dramatic transformation. The late 19th century system of indirect taxes, associated mainly with the tariff, was eclipsed in the early decades of the 20th century by a progressive income tax. My project examines how and why this transformation was possible. In contrast to conventional accounts, which generally explain the rise of the income tax as simply a structural-functionalist response to the growing revenue demands of the public sector, or as a conservative ruse to forestall more radical calls for wealth redistribution, I contend that the income tax had its sources in social concerns about justice, fairness and the equitable distribution of fiscal burdens.
Media Coverage
Making the Modern American Fiscal State: Law, Politics, and the Rise of Progressive Taxation, 1877 - 1929 (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Ajay K. Mehrotra
Publication: Cambridge University Press
Date: 9/30/2013
URL: http://legalhistoryblog.blogspot.com/2013/10/mehrotras-making-modern-american-fiscal.html