The Triumph of Injustice

Economists Emmanuel Saez and Gabriel Zucman present a blueprint for tax reform that can allow a more democratic and equal system to prevail. Blending history and economic analysis in their new book, The Triumph of Injustice: How the Rich Dodge Taxes and How to Make Them Pay, Saez and Zucman offer a comprehensive review of America’s tax system, demonstrating how the ultra-rich pay less in taxes while working-class Americans have been asked to pay more. After a presentation about the book, the authors engage in a discussion of its conclusions with Lily Batchelder, NYU law professor and former deputy director of President Obama’s National Economic Council, and Paul Krugman, Nobel Prize-winning economist, New York Times columnist, and distinguished professor at The Graduate Center. Janet Gornick, professor of political science and sociology and director of the Stone Center at the GC, moderates.
Presented on October 23, 2019, with the Stone Center on Socio-Economic Inequality. Part of the series “The Promise and Perils of Democracy.”
For more information about our events, visit: www.gc.cuny.edu/publicprograms

[@SageWords2027]

Lily is such an articulate and knowledgable diplomat. This is a panel of brilliant, educated, experienced tax experts. I reference their book, The Triumph of Injustice in my forthcoming book, Freedom. Which asks the question, how do we create freedom in a financially inequitable society? I’m so impressed with this panel and their message. Thank you for sharing this presentation.

[@HenriqueRMota]

Krugman question about the corporate tax was actually very appropriate because, eventually, if part of the corporate tax end up punishing consumers and workers instead of the firm itself, this should change Zucman and Saez prescriptions on policy. Increased Taxation on Corporate Tax may not reduce inequality depending on how the tax burden is shared.

[@kevinwildberger3407]

This argument to me seems like inverted trickle down economics. If we give the rich more money they will reward us. If we take some of their wealth, they will punish us? Of course the answer to this is making sure we have broader reforms. Increased minimum wage, worker protections and stronger unions, for a start. Medicare for all, and better housing policy.

[@NadeemAhmed-nv2br]

@@kevinwildberger3407 or we could tax-the-rich directly and solve the problem altogether

[@BeDangerousGroup]

I feel like when you call someone articulate, it's not a complement.

[@solafide77]

Why does this guy not talk about how he came up with his calculation? Does the Vox video ("Who pays the lowest taxes in the US?") represent his paper? The video claims to be, and it has a major problem. It is treating Sales Tax as if it is Income Tax. Why is it so wrong?

[@a12storyasylum]

Sorry. Not to be that guy but an event based around "The Triumph of Injustice" giving a shoutout to the Carnegie Corporation is disheartening. A broken system can't be fixed from the inside. Other than that it was an informative event.