Should the wealthy pay more taxes?

Wealthy people benefit the most from society’s structure

Question: Should the wealthy pay more taxes?
Position1 of 2›: Yes, the wealthy should have to pay more in taxes
Argument‹2 of 3›: Wealthy people benefit the most from society’s structure

As they see the most benefit from our societal structure, the wealthy should also have to pay more to support it.

The argument

Under the current capitalist economic model, the richer you are the more societal and material benefits you receive. This includes attaining a higher standard of public services delivered in part by the private sector. This minority do economically better out of the current economic model and can therefore afford to pay a higher rate in taxation to fund public services for the majority. Wealthy individuals also derive the bulk of their income from fixed assets. Society and the economy are set up in a way that benefits the asset rich, while punishing those who are asset poor. The tax system reflects this bias, ensuring a lower rate of tax on dividends and shares compared to income earned through employment.

Premises

[P1]Under the current capitalist model the wealthy receive the most societal and material benefits, including higher-standard public services. [P2] The system is structured to favour the asset-rich, and even taxes their dividends and shares at lower rates than earned income. [P3] Because they benefit most from this structure, the wealthy can afford to contribute a higher share to fund public services for the majority. [C] Therefore, since they benefit most from society's structure, the wealthy should pay more in taxes.

Counter-arguments

A sizeable portion of wealthy people opt out of using public services, including education, healthcare, and transport, in most cases relieving pressure on already stretched systems. Despite not using these services, most wealthy people continue to be happy to make a reasonable contribution towards their maintenance. However, the expectation that they should pay an increased amount for services that they do not use is presumptuous.

Rejecting the premises

[Rejecting P1] The wealthy do not benefit the most from social services. On the contrary, they are much less likely to use them, which significantly reduces strain.