Taxation of the Rich. Social Inequality in the Long-Run
- Date
- 11 February 2026
- Time
- 20:00
- Location
- SPUI25
Top wealth in the United States has returned to the levels that had been accumulated there at the end of the 19th century. After taxes had primarily contributed to promoting inequality until the 19th century, this trend began to reverse. In most instances, income tax contributed to this, but wealth and inheritance taxes also played a role. Comparing industrialised countries in the 20th and 21st century, this lecture examines how this development came about and why taxes no longer slow down the increasing concentration of wealth today. And to which extent did the world wars and the political orientation of governments play a defining role in shaping the respective tax policies?
SPUI25 is the academic-cultural podium of Amsterdam. Since 2007, we have been giving scientists, authors, artists and other thinkers the opportunity to shine a light on issues that occupy, inspire or concern them. In cooperation with a large number of academic and cultural partners, we organize between 250 and 300 freely accessible programs per year. These are enriching, often interdisciplinary programs that move between science and culture, fact and fiction.
SPUI25 is one of the UvA podia in the University Quarter.
