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CTyankee

(65,300 posts)
2. This is a classic form of what is called a Pigouvian tax in economic theory
Tue Aug 25, 2015, 10:55 AM
Aug 2015

Definition here: In a true market economy, a Pigovian tax is the most efficient and effective way to correct negative externalities. A type of a Pigovian tax is a "sin tax", which is a special tax on tobacco products and alcohol.

I had a big debate here with another DUer a while back on whether Seattle's gun tax is truly Pigouvian.

Paul Krugman blogged this (not on guns but cap and trade policies): http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/19/the-real-pigou/?_r=0

There is also a Pigouvian subsidy in which the government helps pay for an activity that produces a positive effect, e.g. development of vaccines and cures for disease.

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Further evidence how infantile the whole psychology behind "heavily fortifying" yourself really is villager Aug 2015 #1
This is a classic form of what is called a Pigouvian tax in economic theory CTyankee Aug 2015 #2
Gun fanciers are antisocial. If they won't voluntarily modify their bad habit, tax the hell out of Hoyt Aug 2015 #3
This law won't survive a legal challenge. Lizzie Poppet Aug 2015 #4
IIRC, most violent gun crime causing societal harm are by stolen guns or legal guns CTyankee Aug 2015 #5
So? And your point is? nt flamin lib Aug 2015 #7
hey, we're on the same side here. Handguns is what I should have said...sorry, my bad. CTyankee Aug 2015 #8
Sorry, I'm having a side bar with Lizzie Poppet r.e. flamin lib Aug 2015 #11
well, if you follow the reasoning of Pigou, you can have an activity that is legal and CTyankee Aug 2015 #15
My car doesn't cause potholes in El Paso but the fuel tax I pay in Dallas pays for those potholes flamin lib Aug 2015 #6
False argument? Nope. Lizzie Poppet Aug 2015 #9
Well, we just don't get to pick and choose which taxes we pay. flamin lib Aug 2015 #10
Um...okay. Lizzie Poppet Aug 2015 #12
Once again, the city attorney is basing the legality of the tax on the city's flamin lib Aug 2015 #13
We'll see how it turns out in court. Lizzie Poppet Aug 2015 #14
Harper v. Virginia State Board of Elections Statistical Aug 2015 #16
State and local sales taxes are collected on guns and ammo. flamin lib Aug 2015 #17
A tax on everything is not comparable to a tax on excercising a right. Statistical Aug 2015 #18
Did you read your own link? A tax over $100000/year on ink for newspapers but not other ink users? flamin lib Aug 2015 #19
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