People can be able to take action {freedom}|. Other people are unable to restrict action. Societies typically allow people to control their labor and property. Human autonomy is itself worthy. Freedom leads to the most experimentation and so to truth, while restriction only leads to pain and conflict. Forcing people to live certain ways is against psychology and causes revolt, but freedom brings tolerance. Societies provide more abilities for action but also more restrictions on actions.
People can have no interest in politics {indifference, politics}. Indifference results if expected rewards and influence are low and have low probability, or if everything is already good. Most people are indifferent.
Underdeveloped countries have increased demand for industrialization and wealth {rising expectations}, as they communicate with other nations.
Behavior toward people can be different {discrimination against people}, based on factors unrelated to goals or activities. Minorities typically face unjust and unequal treatment.
Communities can discriminate against and segregate black people {Jim Crow}|.
People can have to pay {poll tax}| polling place before voting.
Leaders can hire thugs to beat people and rob homes and shops {pogrom}|.
Politicians can receive free trips {junket, trip}| from people.
People with political power can give government jobs to friends and relatives {patronage}|.
Government projects can benefit only few legislator constituents {pork barrel}.
Politicians and businessmen can keep money {slush fund}| for private purposes, with no regular accounting.
Political winners can give patronage {spoils system}|.
Politicians can accumulate money {war chest} for use in political campaigns.
People can mutually adjust goals to reach agreement {compromise, politics}. Discussion, communication, and information availability aid compromise. Political parties compromise more. Legislatures compromise more.
Conditions can favor compromise. Parties already agree about most things. Conflict has been short. Conflict does not affect other conflicts. Economy is good. Mutual adjustment happened in the past. Both groups have equal power in general. Groups are moderate, rather than militant.
Power struggles can continue, with no conflict resolution and no behavior changes {deadlock}. Poor negotiation skills or poor communication causes deadlock. Both parties can believe no change is better than proposed changes. Mutual adjustment typically does not work if conflict is over norms, is widespread, or is about alternatives that are too far apart.
Legislators can trade votes {logrolling}| to pass two laws.
Politicians have principles {policy} guiding actions.
Nations can have barriers {iron curtain} to travel and communication.
People can feel chauvinism and aggression {jingoism}|.
The idea that USA should stretch from sea to sea {manifest destiny}| started in 1845.
Judicial and legal procedures follow standards {rule of law}| and encourage human rights, negotiated settlements, minimal force, moral authority, and orderly society.
Governments try to minimize hostile-force disruptions {security, politics}. Inconvenience, time, expense, and obtrusiveness can disrupt security. Security failures have costs. Time, money, and social factors determine security costs. Citizen and security-personnel training can minimize inconvenience, time, expense, and obtrusiveness and maximize security. Intelligence gathering can open possibilities for information abuses and data-obtaining methods.
Governments can obtain revenue by taking sales, property, income, wealth, estate, windfall, or value-added percentages {taxation}|. Only taxation provides government revenue.
purposes
Taxation provides money for defense, security, law enforcement, fire containment, ambulance, health services, public health, courts, legislatures, executive branch, foreign affairs, roads, transportation infrastructure, utilities, education, employment services, welfare programs, environmental programs, agriculture services, business services, regulation, and housing.
comparison
Governments can require fees, duties, and licenses, which typically cover administration expenses.
fairness
Taxation fairness requires that taxation has no loopholes. Fairness can require that people pay same marginal amounts. Fairness can require that people pay for what they get. Fairness does not require that people pay equal shares. Regressive taxes, such as property tax, sales tax, and value-added taxes, cannot be fair, because they do not account for people's ability to pay or for government value. Progressive taxes, such as income tax and wealth tax, can be fair. Progressive taxation can use people's income and consumption to determine fair taxation.
tax collection
Ideally, tax collection can require no work by citizens. Perhaps, people have accounts with governments. Taxes go into accounts, for government services and social-insurance programs. Government tracks money use, is accountable for investments, and provides high return rates. When people retire, have no job, or have disability, accounts send money to people and track expenses. Perhaps, no person just receives government money. Welfare recipients, for example, can have formal debts to governments. Governments are more accountable and can track policy effects better.
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Description of Outline of Knowledge Database
Date Modified: 2022.0225