Political Science 1020E Lecture Notes - Lecture 7: Harry Frankfurt, Rationality, Ronald Dworkin
9 Jul 2016
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Taxation need not reduce the freedom of those who are taxed. When the rich are taxed, they"re not necessarily made less free. Ronald dworkin: taxes restrict my freedom only if i have a right to my money. If state is in taking my money, then it is not a restriction on my freedom. Cohen: taxes always restrict my freedom because they limit my choices. Swift"s view: redistribution taxation reduces the freedom of the rich but increases the freedom of the poor. It is justified if it makes the poor freer--like redistributing effective freedom. Redistribution can help people, regardless of its effects on freedom. Taxes can be used to provide public goods or to improve prospects for the worst off. So, redistribution can promote security, efficiency, equality, happiness. Freedom is valuable, but it is not the only value. Restricting many people"s freedoms can also be a good thing if it provides freedoms for many other people.
