Laffer’s Napkin Sketch and Core Claim

Arthur Laffer’s “curve” is one of the most destructive ideas in modern economics.

Sketched on a napkin in the 1970s, it claimed that cutting tax rates could increase government revenue.

It became gospel for Reagan, Thatcher and every neoliberal government since.

But it was wrong.

In this video, I explain why Laffer misunderstood tax, ignored inequality, and helped unleash tax competition that undermined democracy.

I debated Laffer in person — and I’ll show you why his logic collapses when tested against modern money and real economies and the idea that fair taxation builds strong societies, whilst low taxation builds fragile ones.