The rise of inequality, partisan politics, and changes to federal tax progressivity

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Author:

Christopher Faricy, Assistant Professor, Political Science
The Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University

Abstract:

This paper theorizes and examines the relationship among mass public opinion, political party control of the federal government, and changes to tax progressivity. I hypothesize that a shift to a conservative public mood and increased Republican Party power results in lower levels of tax progressivity in both the short- and long-terms. This study has implications for understanding the political conditions that determine who pays for government activity and policy factors that influence inequality.