The "more for less" paradox: Public attitudes on taxing and spending

Susan Welch

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

68 Scopus citations

Abstract

Using a statewide random sample of over 900 respondents, attitudes toward taxing and spending are examined in order to try to explain the seeming paradox of a public that wants more spending but less taxation. We investigate the possibility that the public which wants more spending is willing to pay for it by means other than taxes, such as through reallocation or increased nontax revenue. Moderate support for this expectation is found. Overall, the desire fora "free lunch" is not as widespread as a simple comparison of taxing and spending preferences suggests.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)310-316
Number of pages7
JournalPublic Opinion Quarterly
Volume49
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1985

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Communication
  • History
  • Sociology and Political Science
  • General Social Sciences
  • History and Philosophy of Science

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The "more for less" paradox: Public attitudes on taxing and spending'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this