The History of Taxes: 3 Classic Books on Taxation and Contributions

Classic Essays on Public Revenue, Tax Equity, Political Economy, and State PowerBy Otto H. Kahn, Henry B. Gardner, William Sir Petty

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Length6h 41m

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This three-volume-in-one anthology charts the intellectual history of taxation as both a fiscal instrument and a measure of civic obligation. Bringing together political economy, public finance, and institutional analysis, it ranges from early modern reflections on revenue and national wealth to modern arguments concerning equitable contributions, administrative efficiency, and the social consequences of tax policy. Its distinctive value lies in the juxtaposition of foundational theoretical inquiry with later, more specialized discussion, allowing taxation to emerge not as a technical concern alone but as a central problem of governance. The contributors represent markedly different moments in the development of economic thought. William Petty's work belongs to the formative world of seventeenth-century political arithmetic, where population, land, trade, and state revenue became objects of systematic calculation. Otto H. Kahn and Henry B. Gardner extend this inquiry into later debates over finance, public responsibility, and the organization of modern economic life. Together, these voices illuminate the long transition from mercantilist statecraft to modern fiscal theory. Recommended for students of economic history, politics, law, and public administration, this collection offers an unusually concentrated encounter with competing assumptions about who should pay, how revenue should be raised, and what ends taxation ought to serve. Its varied styles and historical perspectives invite readers to trace an enduring dialogue between fiscal necessity, social justice, and political power.

Audiobook details

GenreBusiness and Economics, Literary Classics

Length6 hrs 41 mins

Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices

FormateBook with Audio

Publish dateMar 4, 2025

LanguageEnglish

1History of Taxation in Rhode Island to the Year 1790

2Introduction.

3Taxation in Rhode Island, 1636-1689.

4Taxation 1689-1710.

5The law and administration.

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6Miscellaneous Revenues.

7Period of Paper Money, 1710-1751.

8Financial History 1751-1790.

9The law of taxation since 1710.

10Colonial and State Valuations.

11Customs and Excise Duties.

12Tonnage Duties.

13CURRICULUM VITAE.

14War Taxation: Some Comments and Letters

15War Taxation: Some Comments and Letters

16SOME COMMENTS ON WAR TAXATION

17A Treatise of Taxes and Contributions

18A Treatise of Taxes and Contributions

19The Preface.

20CHAP. I. Of the several sorts of Publick Charges.

21CHAP. II. Of the Causes which encrease and aggravate the several sorts of Publick Charges.

22CHAP. III. How the Causes of the unquiet bearing of Taxes may be lessened.

23CHAP. IV. Of the several wayes of Taxe, and first, of setting a part, a proportion of the whole Territory for Publick uses, in the nature of Crown Lands; and secondly, by way of Assessement, or Land-taxe.

24CHAP. V. Of Usury.

25CHAP. VI. Of Customs and Free Ports.

26CHAP. VII. Of Poll-money.

27CHAP. VIII. Of Lotteries.

28CHAP. IX. Of Benevolence.

29CHAP. X. Of Penalties.

30CHAP. XI. Of Monopolies and Offices.

31CHAP. XII. Of Tythes.

32CHAP. XIII. Of several smaller wayes of levying Money.

33CHAP. XIV. Of raising, depressing, or embasing of Money.

34CHAP. XV. Of Excize.