political philosophy - inheritance tax

["Alice Evans" <apyyae@nottingham.ac.uk>]

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** For Your Eyes Only **

Good Morning/ Afternoon/ Evening (delete as appropriate),

just wondering what the group thought of inheritance tax?

it largely exists to lessen accidental income, to create a more equal society by diminishing the influence of one's socio-economic background

it helps society by yielding large revenues of income at no cost to the individual earner (he's dead thus has no interests)
(it could be said that the tax upsets the  bearer whilst alive, as they worry about their children's future)

 it isnt a major deterrent to industry, far less so than income tax anyway
(arguably ppl earn money to fulfil their interests,
they have an interest in the happiness of their children/ spouses,
ppl feel they can fulfil such interests of others by ensuring their fiscal security after their own death
and so u are removing an incentive to work
but i see this as a minor disincentive...

evidently ppl tend to focus on short-term goals and achievements, hence why most of us dont really do the whole save the planet thing/ fair trade, it just doesnt appeal right now - its a bit of a struggle to put the long term interests of others or indeed ourselves before immediate gratfication (hence the prevalence of smoking), analagously, vegetarianism (in my view) doesnt appeal to the masses cos it doesnt appear to be in our immediate interests...

so, future worries have a limiting effect so income tax wont upset industry

(ok yes im being purposefully vague and somewhat lazy in argument but im hoping this will set the vultures off and provoke discussion)

in practical terms we could tax adult children more heavily etc, if they've moved out from the nest etc

but my basic argument is thus,

equality is important
we want to achieve equality of access to opportunity
to do so we must limit the influence that factors beyond the individual's control can play in determining their future
inheritance tax is a good way to do so

so 100% tax then...........?

ok, that's my lot, start dissecting and trashing....

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