The Distributional Effects of Government Spending and Taxation

Abstract

The book focuses on the distributional consequences of the public sector and examines and documents, theoretically and empirically, the effects of government spending and taxation on personal distribution. Some chapters investigate the relationship between the public sector and functional distribution of national income. In this respect, three sides of government activity are encompassed. Who benefits from government expenditures - that is, public consumption - such as schooling, highways, and police and fire protection? Who are the beneficiaries of government transfer programmes? Who bears the tax burden?