Federal Taxation in America: A History

by W Elliot Brownlee

This authoritative and readable survey is a comprehensive historical overview of federal taxation and fiscal policy in the United States, extending from the era of the American Revolution to the present day. Brownlee relates the principal stages of federal taxation to the crises that led to their adoption, including but not limited the formation of the republic, the Civil War, World War I and II, and the challenges to government that took hold during the 1980s. In this third edition, Brownlee adds four new chapters covering the colonial era, the American Revolution, the Civil War, the 1920s, and the post-1945 era including the tax policies of the George W. Bush and Barack Obama administrations. It features expanded discussion of government expenditures, deficits and debt, public resources, counter-cyclical fiscal policy, and state and local taxation. Its interdisciplinary interpretation makes it perfect for scholars, graduate students and advanced undergraduate students.

Genres: History

343 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 18, 2016

Reviews

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent read on tax policy. Not an exciting read at all, but informative and well written. 3 1/2 stars

[Joanne Otto · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very scholarly work, packed with information, but the author has organized it so clearly that it was navigable by, if not 100% understandable to, average, interested, educated readers such as my husband and myself. We have read quite a number of books about the history of the United States--its development, its leaders, its crises--but this was the first one that focused on its taxation history. It was most interesting to observe the attempts made by various administrations of the Federal government, from the nation's founding to 2016, to balance fiscal, social, and political concerns in developing their tax policy. It would be extremely helpful reading for anyone serving in the executive or administrative branches of the Federal government!

[Brandan Radford · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.2/5 - Great overview that really doesn’t show a political bias! Informed heavily through the countries history. First three chapters are a bit of a drag but the last four make up for it. Highly recommend to anyone who seeks an education on how we got where we are and what the tax system has looked like in the past. Strengths and weaknesses are pointed out and I’m excited to learn more from the 20 books or so that I’ve added to my list because the footnotes of this book. Ps don’t sleep on the footnotes of this book lots of great nuggets of info.