Income redistribution is an important concept of progressive taxation. It is nothing more than a system whereby money from one person or group is transferred to another group. The process is typically used to redistribute wealth upward within a country. The purpose behind this transfer of money is two-fold; first, to allow people to have a larger piece of the national wealth; and second, to ensure that certain groups of citizens are not allowed to have a large share of the wealth.
Income distribution through the tax system can range from very minor changes to small sums of money. Major changes would include reducing the eligibility for tax deductions and exemptions. In addition, changes in income distribution may be accompanied by major changes to other areas like unemployment benefits and EITC (earnings in excess of income tax). This is because the eligibility requirements change over time in order to keep the distribution of taxes on income fair for all citizens.
Income distribution can also be very simple, as it is when one receives a fixed amount of money from a grant or inheritance. People often receive grants and inheritance donations without requesting them. These gifts do not affect their net income at all, nor do they need to be included in any income distribution calculations.
For many years now, researchers have been trying to understand what is happening in our society when we look at the issue of income distribution. Surprisingly, many people have come up with contradictory results. Researchers agree that income does affect poverty. Some researchers argue that poor people can easily get rich if given a better education. Still, others say that income or wealth has little to do with poverty and that a good life will provide everyone with enough income to meet their needs.
The problem with the income distribution theory is that it only makes sense in a truly civilized society where people have an equal opportunity to achieve success. Otherwise, there would be a significant reversal in societal norms. For example, it would not make much sense to redistribute income from rich to poor families if all wealth is owned by a few rich families. Even if such a situation did exist, there would still be people with more than enough income to satisfy their needs and desires.
On the other hand, the theory says that everyone has the right to earn income according to their abilities. No one is entitled to be born wealthy nor is anyone forced to be poor. All the same, no one should be denied access to income distribution opportunities simply because he or she does not have the intelligence, skills or education to obtain the prosperity they deserve. In these cases, poverty or misery is caused by someone else’s deficiency.
One way of dealing with the discrepancies between distributional realities and socialist ideals is through private property ownership. Private property allows people to become rich or poor according to their abilities. This is not possible in a centrally planned economy, where planning goes hand in hand with planning to distribute wealth. Private property owners could therefore effectively prevent a significant transfer of wealth to those who are unable to reach the level of wealth they desire. Instead, they could ensure that those who are extremely capable will still have access to enough wealth to live decent lives and contribute to society.
Of course, both distributional theory and private property ownership have their flaws. redistribution remains a complicated issue even after these two theories have been rendered irrelevant. Income distribution does not appear to be a major problem in the United States, but it should be a problem everywhere else in the world. Without reducing incentives for individuals to work, spend or save, income inequality will continue to rise. The best solution, therefore, would be a combination of public goods, guaranteed income levels and adequate research and surveillance to prevent abuse of the system by those who do not deserve it. These three techniques can reduce poverty and increase productivity.
