Reciprocity
A fair society should be based around principles of fair exchange. In small groups, this often takes place between individuals or households. But at the societal level, we are more often talking about the ways in which people are supported by the state when they need it, and the ways in which people, in return, enable this by paying taxes.
Universal public services
Everyone needs support from the state at multiple points during their lives. Some need more than others, such as people living with disabilities or illness, or people who are unable to find work. But almost everyone is a significant beneficiary of state support in the form of free education and healthcare, subsidised childcare, tax breaks, and so on. Universal services such as the NHS are popular because they are collectively funded, free at the point of use, and treat people according to need. Other services could enjoy more popular support, including greater willingness to fund them through the tax system, if they operated on similar principles, rather than being seen as being reserved for those in greatest need. We see this in other countries, for example, in the provision of universal free childcare, or the wider availability of social housing.
A fairer tax system
Meanwhile, a tax system that ensured that everyone contributed fairly (for example, by ending tax avoidance and taxing wealth more effectively) would both raise more funds for those services and increase public willingness to fund them at a higher level through the tax system.
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Explore the other Fair Necessities
Fair essentials
Fair essentials
Fair opportunities
Fair opportunities
Fair rewards
Fair rewards
Fair treatment
Fair treatment