This article is intended as a contribution to a discussion on taxation in a Proutist economy. Sarkar has written little on the subject and what there is, is better understood by reference to the existing literature. As can readily be imagined, the literature is vast and detailed, having evolved over many centuries. This article attempts to distil relevant principles guided partly by Sarkar's comments and partly by common sense. The final conclusions are not concrete policy suggestions because too much depends on the time, place and circumstance in which a tax is levied. There is much to learn about taxation and the author hopes that this article offers Proutists a helpful introduction. The author also believes that the mode of argumentation required to discuss taxation policy can usefully be carried over to other areas of debate about Proutist economic policy. ..... Read More
Posted by proutist-universal on March 11, 2006 7:13 PM | TrackBack
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"In economic life there is extreme inequality and exploitation. Although colonialism no longer exists openly in the political and economic sphere, still it persists indirectly, and this should not be tolerated... In this respect you should remember that in economic life, we will have to guarantee the minimum requirements of life to one and all... There cannot be any sort of adjustment as far as this point is concerned. The minimum purchasing requirement must be guaranteed to all. Today these fundamental essentialities are not being guaranteed. Rather, people are being guided by deceptive economic ideas like outdated Marxism, which has proven ineffective in practical life and has not been successfully implemented in any corner of the world. Why do people still believe in such a theory, which has never been proved successful? The time has come for people to make a proper assessment of whether they are being misguided or not." |
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"Human beings have still not been able to form a human society, and have still not learned to move with the spirit of a pilgrim. Although many small groups, motivated by self-interest, work together in particular situations, not even a small fraction of their work is done with a broader social motive. By strict definition, shall we have to declare that each small family unit is a society in itself? If going ahead in mutual adjustment only out of narrow self-interest or momentary self-seeking is called society, then in such a society, no provision can be made for the disabled, the diseased or the helpless, because in most cases nobody can benefit from them in any way... in that case there always remains the possibility of some people getting isolated from the collective. All human beings must attach themselves to others by the common bond of love and march forward hand in hand; then only will I proclaim it a society." |