Bring Light to Taxes
Alain de Botton, author of The Architecture of Happiness, says “think of taxation as charity.” This perspective aligns with seeing ourselves as part of the whole and how we contribute to the greater good of our communities.
This is an interesting take on a subject that usually brings us to straight to angst and worry. But what Alain de Botton’s encouragement really offers us is the potential to cultivate a peace of mind in relation to taxes. While many of us readily justify the social benefits and infrastructures that taxes create, such as transportation systems and national and local parks, the thought of taxes as a form of charity is next level. This notion aligns with “social contract theory” that views taxes as the means to build a public foundation for creating wealth. In turn, the economic gains (through taxation) replenish the system to serve the community as a whole.
Until our financial and tax systems reflect voluntary consent and united agreement in which “social contract theory” is based, we can bring our own light to taxes. Rather than feed the negative group consciousness surrounding taxes, we can imagine new systems emerging. And when we remit our taxes, we can include our intentions of how the money is spent.