The Laffer Curve The Laffer Curve & Supply-side economics Alban William Housego Phillips

When engaged in a lesson on the Laffer curve, the learner will evaluate the pros and cons of supply- side economics. The Laffer Curve will be presented in an active board lesson and student participation, with 100 percent mastery.

“Supply-side economics stress that shifts in AS are the main determinant for inflation rates, unemployment, and GDP growth. So it should be the policy of government to promote the rightward shifts of AS. “Supply-siders” (supporters of supply-side economics) argue that the U.S. tax system decreases the incentive to work, save, and invest. High tax rates hurt productivity, thus slows the expansion of LRAS. LRAS

Compare supply-side views with a story of Robin Hood, who stole from the rich to give to the poor. The people traveling through Sherwood Forest are the U.S. taxpayers, whereas Robin Hood and his band of merry men represent the U.S. government. As taxpayers passed through the forest, Robin Hood and his men intercepted them and forced them to hand over their money. “Do you think that travelers continued to go through Sherwood Forest?” Of course not, they would simply find a way around the forest in order to keep their money.

Reaganomics Reaganomics “I was on the Laffer curve.” Supply-side economists argue that if tax rates were lowered, then people would supply more labor by working harder and longer, which will increase aggregate supply. Why? If people kept more of their pay check then the opportunity cost of leisure would increase, making work more attractive to them. The result would be an increase in tax revenue.

0 100 l Tax revenue (dollars) Tax rate (percent) The Laffer Curve illustrates the relationship between tax rates and tax revenues. As tax rates increase from zero to a higher percentage rate, the government will increase its tax revenues.

0 100 m l Tax revenue (dollars) Tax rate (percent) Tax revenue will continue to increase up to some maximum level. Once that maximum level is reached, any further increase in tax rates will actually decrease government revenues.

0 100 m n l Tax revenue (dollars) Tax rate (percent) As tax rates increase tax payers will find ways to not pay taxes, or they will simply work less, since the opportunity cost of work is directly related to tax rates.

0 100 m m n l Tax revenue (dollars) Tax rate (percent) Maximum Tax Revenue As you can see if government increases tax rates to 100%, people will simply not work. And the government will collect zero in tax revenue.

Criticisms of the Laffer Curve 1.Higher after-tax pay enables people to “buy more leisure, because tax cuts allow people to earn the same pay for less work. 2.It is not clear where the maximum tax rate level is located between zero and 100.

3. Tax cuts can be more stimulating to AD than to AS causing demand-pull inflation to occur.

Learn economics. Don’t be “economic girlie men.” A Word From Arnold