Abstract

This presentation examines the impact of tax reforms on inequality. It begins with an examination of the meaning of inequality and its dimensions. While the usual division of 1% and 99% has its own merit, this presentation argues that the situation is more complex, especially among the 99%. The real income of those in the middle of distribution has stagnated too in recent decades. On the other hand, growth rate in most economies is sluggish, primarily due to inadequate investment. This presentation focuses on policies to reduce inequality and proposes two sets of reforms. First, given the regressive nature of indirect taxation, altering the balance between direct and indirect taxation should do. The second set of reforms should try to make our tax system work more efficiently. Two issues would be examined further: one, how to deal with tax havens; and another how to reduce tax avoidance and tax evasions.

Ahmad Seyf has recently retired from teaching at the Department of Management and Human Resources at Regent’s University-London. He has also taught at Staffordshire University, and University of Boston – London. His main research interests are International Political Economy, Globalisation and the Economic and Social History of the Middle East. He is a bilingual writer having written extensively on Iran, his country of birth. Recent publications include, ‘The Emerging Economies and the Great Recession’, in P. Arestis and M. Sawyer (eds): Emerging Economies During and after the Great Recession, 2016, ‘Population and Agricultural Development in Iran, 1800-1906’, in Middle Eastern Studies, 2009; and ‘Iran and the Great Famine, 1870-72’ in Middle Eastern Studies, 2010. His books include: Iran’s Contemporary Political Economy, 2012, The Economy of Iran under Ahmadinejad, 2012, Crisis in Despotism in Iran, 2014, and Capitalism and Democracy, Tehran 2016, An Introduction to Political Economy at the Age of Globalisation, Tehran, Negah Books, 2017 (Forthcoming).