Open AccessTaxation and State Building: Towards a Governance Focused Tax Reform Agenda
Author(s) -
Prichard Wilson
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
ids working papers
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2040-0209
pISSN - 1353-6141
DOI - 10.1111/j.2040-0209.2010.00341_2.x
Subject(s) - corporate governance , state (computer science) , context (archaeology) , government (linguistics) , public economics , tax reform , sustainable development , political science , action (physics) , economic system , public administration , economics , business , finance , paleontology , linguistics , philosophy , algorithm , computer science , law , biology , physics , quantum mechanics
Summary Taxation is fundamental to sustainable development, as it supports the basic functions of an effective state and sets the context for economic growth. More often overlooked is the role of taxation as a catalyst for the development of responsive and accountable government, and for the expansion of state capacity. Recent research has begun to focus on this broader relationship between taxation and state building, but the analysis has frequently remained relatively theoretical and abstract. This paper seeks to chart new territory by translating the findings of existing research into a practical agenda for action, focusing on the specific measures that governments, with the support of development partners, could be taking to strengthen the state building role of taxation. In short, this paper seeks to outline the core elements of a governance focused tax reform agenda.