Taxation as theft
The equivalation of taxation as theft is a viewpoint found in some political philosophies. This view asserts that government transgresses property rights through compulsory tax collection.[1][2] Anarcho-capitalists and Objectivists see taxation as government violation of the non-aggression principle.[3]
Murray Rothbard offers an example of the argument in The Ethics of Liberty, stating: "Just as no one is morally required to answer a robber truthfully when he asks if there are any valuables in one’s house, so no one can be morally required to answer truthfully similar questions asked by the State, e.g., when filling out income tax returns."[4][5]
Counterarguments assert that no violation of rights is taking place, and that taxation must be considered in the context of the system of government in place. Justification for taxation is contained in social contracts and public goods.[6]
See also
References
- ^ Edward Feser. "Taxation, Forced Labor, and Theft (The Independent Review, Fall 2000, pp. 219–235)" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-07-10.
- ^ Chris R. Tame. "Taxation Is Theft (Libertarian Alliance Political Note No 44, 1989)" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-09-02.
- ^ Frank Chodorov. "Taxation Is Robbery (Mises.org, reprint from Out of Step: The Autobiography of an Individualist, by Frank Chodorov; The Devin-Adair Company, New York, 1962, pp. 216-239)". Retrieved 2012-07-10.
- ^ Murray N. Rothbard. "The Moral Status Of Relations To The State, chapter 24 of The Ethics of Liberty (ISBN 0-8147-7506-3 Humanities Press 1982, New York University Press 1998)". Retrieved 2012-09-02.
- ^ Murray N. Rothbard. "The State versus Liberty, excerpt from chapters 22-25 of The Ethics of Liberty (LewRockwell.com, 2007)". Retrieved 2012-09-02.
- ^ Dave Johnson. "Tax Cuts Are Theft (Huffingtonpost.com, August 9, 2010)". Retrieved 2012-09-02.
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