Revue internationale des sciences économiques et de gestion

COMPULSORY INCOME REDISTRIBUTION AND SOCIAL CONFLICT

Abstract

James Rolph Edwards

The social-order argument for compulsory income redistribution claims that redistribution is necessary in order to mitigate social conflict generated by excessive income disparity. This argument may have some validity in underdeveloped nations, but its accuracy is dubious for modern, market-based democracies with a rule of law. Indeed, strong reasoning and evidence is developed in this paper to show that, by the most appropriate measure, income redistribution in late 20th century America generated more, not less, social conflict and disorder.