It is not the person who leaves the inheritance that is taxed, but the recipient f it. I said the principle of private property doesn't limit the right to give inheritance, but it does limit the right to receive it.
The question is whether you want a system which amplifies wealth differences or not, quite simply. When the capital development of a country becomes a by-product of the activities of a casino, the job is likely to be ill-done. — John M. Keynes
Francois asked me to bring up other examples than gold, for why somebody would not use an asset for producing revenue. He should have asked you, as you brought the idea up, that a wealth tax is better than a pure income tax, because of the incencitive to use the asset. I have invented a rather realistic example. And yes, of course there is the question, what system one wants. And as all the examples others brought up, were about much bigger wealth, the question is, amplifying wealth to which degree, so that e.g. one answer to my example could have been, to speak about a wealth tax only for the people who are much richer than just a selfused property, even if it is a house in Munich. Another answer is to tax appropriately already on that level, as it already means to be much richer than most others. And these answers have different effects and will attract different voters. However, what's your problem? I said, I want something specific. Some comments later you write the question is what I want. That I said in the first place.
From my first diary: "Conservatism means a declining loyalty starting with individuum, family, region, country, (Europe), world." I see property not only as individual property, but as 'clans/family' property. Inheritance is only the formal overscription of the 'clans' property to the next generation, while the real ownership, that one by the clan, does not really change. Der Amerikaner ist die Orchidee unter den MenschenVolker Pispers
Having clarified our positions regarding dynasties, we have to agree to disagree.
Anyway, to answer your question, taxing wealth is independent of taxing unearned windfall income (be it inheritance, gifts or capital gains). When the capital development of a country becomes a by-product of the activities of a casino, the job is likely to be ill-done. — John M. Keynes
