The Redistributive Aim of Social Policy: A Comparative Analysis of Taxes, Tax Expenditure Transfers and Direct Transfers in Eight Countries

In this paper I will study in a comparative perspective how taxes, social transfers and tax expenditures effect the social policy goal of redistributing income. The following countries are included in the analysis: Australia, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom and United States. These countries reveal variation both with respect to the organization of their welfare and taxation systems and in relation to income distribution. The aim of the study is threefold: to show how these welfare states combine the tools of taxes and transfers differently, resulting in substantial variations of redistributive capacity; to identify and account for changes in the redistributive capacity of these welfare states through and analysis of data for the time period ca 1980-1995.; and the use of tax expenditures.