The Foundations of Public Finance

by Peter M. Jackson (Editor)

Overview

The Foundations of Public Finance presents the most important articles and papers tracing the development of public finance from the earliest tolls and customs duties levied on goods and land to more complex tax systems up to 1950.

A signal contribution of this collection is that it allows the founding fathers to describe the development of different schools or doctrines in their own words. It is a fascinating story showing how economic analysis develops partly as a response to the need to gain a deeper insight into practical questions such as 'how progressive should a tax systems be?'.

The volume is a companion to and complements Modern Public Finance edited by A.B. Atkinson (also in The International Library of Critical Writings in Economics series) which covers the recent developments in public finance from 1950.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781852786113
Publisher:	Edward Elgar Publishing
Publication date:	01/07/1997
Series:	The International Library of Critical Writings in Economics series , #71
Pages:	912
Product dimensions:	6.62(w) x 9.62(h) x (d)

About the Author

Edited by the late Peter M. Jackson, formerly Professor of Economics and Strategy, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Leicester, UK

Editorial Reviews

The two volumes together contain 41 selections printed in facsimile from books and from journals such as the "J. of Political Economy, International Economic Papers, Political Science Quarterly," and "Economtrica". They tell the story of the development of fiscal doctrine, a journey during which economic analysis develops partly as a response to the need to gain deeper insight into practical questions. An introduction by the editor discusses early forms of taxation, the balance between the public and the private sectors, optimal taxation, progressive taxation, and the foundations of public finance. No index. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

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