Since the Reagan era, conservatives in the United States have championed cutting taxes, especially for wealthy individuals and corporations, as the best way to achieve economic prosperity. In his new book, Pay Up!, John L. Campbell shows that while these claims are highly influential, they are also wrong. Using historical and cross-national evidence, the book challenges and refutes every justification conservatives have made for tax cuts – that American taxes are too high; they hurt the economy; they facilitate government waste; they constitute an unfair downward redistribution of income; and they threaten individual freedom – and conversely shows that countries can actually benefit from higher taxes, especially when tax increases fall most heavily on those most able to pay them. Through clear prose and a well-reasoned argument, Campbell's book provides an accessible, engaging, and much-needed perspective on the role of taxes in American society.

‘Conservative claims about taxes have been a staple of American politics for many decades. They can sound appealing (who does not want to pay lower taxes?) and even reasonable (government is surely wasteful, and taxes choke economic activity). But facts, Campbell shows, tell us otherwise. At last, here is the definitive debunking of those myths.’

Francesco Duina - Charles A. Dana Professor of Sociology, Bates College

‘We swim in a world of fake news. This brilliant book on tax-totally simple, utterly devastating-destroys one myth after another, bringing us back to reality. I pray that this book reaches the largest possible audience.’

John A. Hall - Emeritus James McGill Professor of Sociology, McGill University

‘There are many myths and misunderstandings about taxation in the US. John Campbell’s fine book remedies this situation by providing facts and evidence. His clear, lively, and well-documented discussion allows readers to gauge for themselves if taxes are indeed high or unfair, whether they encourage government waste, and whether tax cuts unleash economic growth. Anyone interested in taxation will want to read this book.’

Bruce G. Carruthers - John D. MacArthur Professor, Northwestern University

‘Conservatives never tire of arguing that taxes need to be cut, again and again, so as to benefit everyday people. As John Campbell’s brilliant book demonstrates, conservatives’ arguments rest on deceptive myths that serve mainly the interests of the rich. By debunking these myths through enlightening discussion of how the economy really works, he does the everyday American an invaluable service.’

Vivien A. Schmidt - Professor Emerita, Boston University