2 ms·
Taxing by size is how Israel does it. It isn't a good idea, though, because it falls disproportionately on rural owners, and it ignores the central insight of t
by nwah1 12y ago
Taxing by size is how Israel does it. It isn't a good idea, though, because it falls disproportionately on rural owners, and it ignores the central insight of the law of rent.
The point is that monopolization of prime locations is what drives "real" wages down. In other words, the amount you can afford after rent and taxes take their cut, is determined by these factors.
You should instead pay for what you use, by value. If that doesn't happen, rents will just flow as unearned income to owners of the best land, and wages will be depressed. And then we'll additionally need to tax productive activity to make up the shortfall.
The "margin of production" is the best available rent-free land, and the point is that the better this land is, and the more productivity is possible upon it, the better your next best alternative to paid labor is. Thus, employers must pay you more, or landlords must demand less... because otherwise you'll take that next best alternative.
Of course, the alternative includes all subjective and intangible things too... but that is what I mean by "real wage."