Two classic objections to regulation are that (a) it infringes on personal freedom and (b) the individual always knows more about their own situation than the regulator. However, my proposed policy addresses both of these issues: rather than administering a math test, we can ask each individual whether or not they’re innumerate. If they do declare themselves to be innumerate, they can decide for themselves the amount of the tax to pay.
What do you think? Would this tax give people an incentive to become less innumerate, as standard economics would predict?
I’m not sure I’m getting the joke. Obviously few or no rational actors would declare themselves innumerate under this scheme, and it doesn’t appear to provide any incentive whatsoever to become less innumerate under standard economic theory.
Two classic objections to regulation are that (a) it infringes on personal freedom and (b) the individual always knows more about their own situation than the regulator. However, my proposed policy addresses both of these issues: rather than administering a math test, we can ask each individual whether or not they’re innumerate. If they do declare themselves to be innumerate, they can decide for themselves the amount of the tax to pay.
What do you think? Would this tax give people an incentive to become less innumerate, as standard economics would predict?
I’m not sure I’m getting the joke. Obviously few or no rational actors would declare themselves innumerate under this scheme, and it doesn’t appear to provide any incentive whatsoever to become less innumerate under standard economic theory.
Am I missing something, or was your post?