This book surveys the current state of public economics by taking as a case study the proposal for a basic income financed by a flat income tax. It revises the area in which there has been active research in recent years, including the theory of optimum, the incidence of taxation, public choice...

"Governments all round the world are facing problems with their public finances. At a time of austerity, how much should spending be cut and how much should taxes be raised? Does the national debt represent a burden for future generations? Should taxes on the rich be raised? This book examines...