Assignment 3: Persuasive Paper Part 1: A Problem Exists

Assignment 2:  Research Proposal – Thesis, Major Points, and Plan

Gregory Best

Dr. Roger Fontana

ENG 215

7/21/17

Proposal: Thesis, Major Points, and Plan

Identification of the Topic Selected: Reasons

The topic selected for research is: Should taxes on people making over $250000 a year be changed? There are two main reasons why the above topic has been chosen for study. First, the United States is one of the countries that have the highest inequality in the distribution of income and wealth (Thio & Taylor, 2011). One of the main reasons for taxation is to reduce this wide inequality (Guvenen, Kuruscu & Ozkan, 2013). Rich individuals in the country pay fewer taxes in comparison with their poor counterparts (García‐Peñalosa & Turnovsky, 2011). This calls for the need to change the taxation policies for those who earn $250000 a year so as to minimize this type of inequality.

Another reason for the selection of this topic is the need to embrace a tax policy that not only speeds up the process of economic recovery form future economic crises, but also contributes to the long-term economic growth of a particular nation (Arnold et al. 2011). This issue has been of concern since short-term recovery needs increases in demand while long-term growth requires increase in supplies. Therefore, there is need to identify possible growth effects of alternative changes to tax structures that may speed up economic recovery.

2. Thesis Statement: Tax policies on people who make over $250000 annually should be changed to reduce income inequality and promote economic recovery.

3. Major Characteristics of the Target Audience

The three main target audience for this study include: state and federal legislators, tax administrators, and members of the press. These three groups of stakeholders have various characteristics. For instance, tax administrators make the final decision on the tax policies to adopt. Administrators may include the finance cabinet secretary, governors, and the president of the United States. For instance, tax administrators play a vital role in increasing revenues and addressing the efficacy with which they administer, gather, and enforce taxation among both corporations and individuals (Pollack, 2010). State and federal legislators also formulate taxation policies and laws. This is because the senate and state assemblies have the power to pass laws that influence the tax policies to be adopted. The American Constitution grants the House of Representatives with the power to pass bills that raise revenues. Congress on the other hand, has the power to lay and gather taxes. Finally, members of the press include the mainstream media and other emerging news platforms that provide credible information on topical issues. The media plays an important role in setting the agenda. This is because what the issues that the media focuses on become the major themes that people talk about. The power of the news media to set a country’s agenda, and to focus public attention on few key issues, is an immense and well-documented impact (Thio & Taylor, 2011). Not only do individuals get factual information about tax policies from the news media, they also gain insights into how much the issue is important based on the emphasis that placed on it in the news.

4. Scope

The paper will focus on the need to review tax policies in order to reduce income and wealth inequalities. Another area that will be of focus includes the urgency of a new tax policy that promotes economic growth and recovery during recessions. Thus, the paper will be structured into an introduction, problem statement, literature review, conclusion, and recommendations.

5. Identification of the Questions to be answered

The research questions will mainly revolve around how best the taxation policies for those making over $250000 can be changed to reduce income inequality. The questions will also seek to address ways in which tax policies can promote economic recovery during recessions. Examples of the questions include:

1. Can taxation policies reduce income inequality?

2. What is the most recommended tax policy for those who earn over $250000?

3. How best can tax regulations be adjusted to promote economic recovery during recessions?

6. Research Plan

The study will begin by identifying sources of literature to guide the process of developing the paper. Thereafter, participants for the research will be identified through sampling. The research will utilize both qualitative and quantitative designs to gather and analyze data. The data collection, analysis, and conclusion will then follow.

References

Arnold, J. M., Brys, B., Heady, C., Johansson, Å., Schwellnus, C., & Vartia, L. (2011). Tax

policy for economic recovery and growth. The Economic Journal, 121(550).

García‐Peñalosa, C., & Turnovsky, S. J. (2011). Taxation and income distribution dynamics in a

neoclassical growth model. Journal of Money, Credit and Banking, 43(8), 1543-1577.

Guvenen, F., Kuruscu, B., & Ozkan, S. (2013). Taxation of human capital and wage inequality:

A cross-country analysis. Review of Economic Studies, 81(2), 818-850.

Maxwell, M. (2004). Setting the agenda: The mass media and public opinion. Malden, MA:

Blackwell.

Pollack, S. D. (2010). Failure of US Tax Policy: Revenue and Politics. Penn State Press.

Thio, A., & Taylor, J. D. (2011). Social problems. Roca Baton: Jones & Bartlett Publishers.