Encyclopedia of Opinion
Question
Is taxation theft?
Position‹2 of 4›

No, taxation is not theft.

This position holds that taxation is not theft. It argues that, under the social contract, citizens consent to taxation in exchange for the state's services — that pre-tax income was never wholly the taxpayer's to begin with — and that tax is a legitimate equalising force, not robbery.

Supporting arguments · 3

  1. Pre-tax income does not belong to the taxpayer
    If pre-tax income is owed to the state, then giving a fraction of that sum to the government cannot be seen as a "theft."
  2. Not according to Social Contract Theory
    When we as citizens elect our officials, we are entering a social contract with them and entrusting them with running our society. Them choosing to tax us is not thievery because we willingly give them the power to do so.
  3. Tax is an equalizing force, not a theft
    Taxation is a method to promote equality and maintain justice in a society rather than being a perpetrator of it.