
 New Books in Economics
 New Books in Economics John L. Campbell, "Pay Up!: Conservative Myths about Tax Cuts for the Rich" (Cambridge UP, 2025)
 Sep 26, 2025 
 John L. Campbell, a retired sociology professor and author of "Pay Up!: Conservative Myths About Tax Cuts for the Rich," explores critical misconceptions about taxation. He debunks conservative claims that high taxes harm the economy, illustrating through cross-national comparisons that higher taxes can actually boost public investment and social equity. Campbell also challenges narratives about government waste and unfairness, arguing that tax revenues support essential services. His insights highlight the real benefits of taxation in promoting societal welfare and economic growth. 
 AI Snips 
 Chapters 
 Books 
 Transcript 
 Episode notes 
U.S. Taxes Are Not Exceptionally High
- U.S. taxes are not unusually high historically or compared to other advanced economies.
- Effective rates after deductions are around average despite headline marginal rates.
Taxes Alone Don't Drive Growth
- Cross-national data show no strong statistical link between tax levels and economic growth.
- High-tax countries like Denmark can match U.S. performance because other institutions and spending choices matter.
How Danish Health Research Spawned Novo Nordisk
- Denmark used tax revenue to fund health research that indirectly fostered a major company, Novo Nordisk.
- That company became economically huge and altered how Denmark measures growth.



