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> If you are born poor it is extremely difficult to escape poverty, especially because of high taxes that you are going to experience as soon as your education
by namdnay 6y ago
> If you are born poor it is extremely difficult to escape poverty, especially because of high taxes that you are going to experience as soon as your education and determination lands you a good job
That's very easy to test, by comparing social mobility in countries with more or less progressive tax rates. I think the results say the opposite: progressive tax rates encourage greater mobility (because those taxes go to pay for free higher education, better public transport, mobility initiatives etc)
- varispeed 6y agoMost countries (at least here in Europe) have very high taxes, so whenever you go, you'll pay pretty much the same. So if people move, they do it for what they can get back for the money they pay. However the problem is that the system is setup so that it penalises ambitious people while protecting the rich. In many countries the governing parties see people as their clients and in their interest is to keep everyone dependent on benefits or being on the verge of needing them. That's how you game democracy and as a side effect you severely inhibit growth. (Good example is how little "unicorns" Europe has)
- krageon 6y ago> whenever you go, you'll pay pretty much the same Perhaps in terms of tax you are right (though I know of at least 10+% differences even between the richer countries, so I doubt it), but the cost of living varies dramatically even within Europe. You don't need to move to a poor/bad part of Europe to profit either, as for example Lissabon is relatively cheap.