Justice, Taxation and Social Policy

The financial crisis and the high indebtedness of states puts pressure on tax systems as well as on considerations of social justice because of new levels of social inequality and because of the erosion of the welfare state and the creation of new vulnerabilities. The crisis has intensified a dynamics causing a growing gap between wealth and poverty and the austerity measures affect the most vulnerable groups. i.e. those who depend on the welfare system. Issues of intergenerational justice are affected because of the danger of a 'lost generation'. There is a real risk for young people without access to the job market to be left out of social security systems including the risk of old age poverty.

Against this background we want to reconsider the relation and connection of justice, taxation, and social policy. Social policy is mainly financed through taxation, and most theories of justice support social policy. Also, different forms of taxation such as income, wealth or inheritance taxes, and the whole tax system are subjects of ethical reasoning and they should be just. Should social justice be the main guide
for the analysis, development and implementation of social policy and taxation? And, what shall and can follow from this claim?

Contact: [email protected] 

Conference Fee

The conference fee is 100 Euros. It covers the participation and access to all talks, the conference folder, coffee breaks, two lunches, the reception, the conference dinner and an optional guided city tour.

Organization and venue

The conference is organized and hosted by the Center for Ethics and Poverty
Research (University of Salzburg). Please visit the conference homepage: