Ep. 248: Jeffrey Miron - Should Government Discourage Sin?

The Curious Task

Matt speaks with Jeffrey Miron about the justice and effectiveness of "sin taxes," evaluating whether taxes on goods like alcohol, tobacco, and sugary drinks achieve their intended public health goals or whether they unfairly restrict individual choice. The conversation explores the ethical implications of using taxation as a tool for social engineering and questions the actual impact these policies have on behavior.

References

1. "Should Governments Try to Reduce Sin?" by Jeffrey Miron
   Link: https://scholar.harvard.edu/miron/publications/should-governments-try-reduce-sin

2. "The Time Travelling Dietitian" (YouTube Video)
   Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ua-WVg1SsA

3. "Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness" by Richard H. Thaler and Cass R. Sunstein
   Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Nudge-Improving-Decisions-Health-Happiness/dp/014311526X

4. "The Ethics of Taxation" by Jane G. Gravelle
   Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Ethics-Taxation-Jane-Gravelle/dp/XXXXX

5. "The Theory of Moral Sentiments" by Adam Smith
   Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Theory-Moral-Sentiments-Adam-Smith/dp/XXXXX

6. "For Your Own Good: The Anti-Smoking Crusade and the Tyranny of Public Health" by Jacob Sullum
   Link: https://www.amazon.ca/For-Your-Own-Good-Public/dp/0684849520

7. "The Constitution of Liberty" by Friedrich Hayek
   Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Constitution-Liberty-Friedrich-Hayek/dp/0226320847

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