I agree with Jack. You are also conflating tax receipts, the “exchange value” of a citizen, with intrinsic worth, the “use value” of a citizen. In so far as it exists as a real phenomenon, society doesn’t value citizens because they pay taxes; society values citizens because society is a construct set up by and for the benefit of citizens.
Also, much government spending is not fairly characterizable as mere redistribution; once you killed off, say, the bottom 40%, you would find that all citizens produced at least some net surplus, some of which would be confiscated to spend on public goods. Some remaining citizens would not contribute as much surplus as others, but an evil government that maximized total tax receipts (as opposed to average tax receipts, which is just a really weird goal) would not feel any urge to execute those citizens.
you would find that all citizens produced at least some net surplus, some of which would be confiscated to spend on public goods.
I’m assuming that governments don’t have surpluses in the long run. This is, historically, true without exception AFAIK. Too bad—if they did, the country could retire and live off its savings.
I agree with Jack. You are also conflating tax receipts, the “exchange value” of a citizen, with intrinsic worth, the “use value” of a citizen. In so far as it exists as a real phenomenon, society doesn’t value citizens because they pay taxes; society values citizens because society is a construct set up by and for the benefit of citizens.
Also, much government spending is not fairly characterizable as mere redistribution; once you killed off, say, the bottom 40%, you would find that all citizens produced at least some net surplus, some of which would be confiscated to spend on public goods. Some remaining citizens would not contribute as much surplus as others, but an evil government that maximized total tax receipts (as opposed to average tax receipts, which is just a really weird goal) would not feel any urge to execute those citizens.
I’m assuming that governments don’t have surpluses in the long run. This is, historically, true without exception AFAIK. Too bad—if they did, the country could retire and live off its savings.