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The Curious Task

Jeffrey Miron - Should Government Discourage Sin?

Oct 2, 2024
54:16

Matt speaks with Jeffrey Miron about the justice and effectiveness of "sin taxes," evaluating whether taxes on goods like alcohol, tobacco, and sugary drinks achieve their intended public health goals or whether they unfairly restrict individual choice. The conversation explores the ethical implications of using taxation as a tool for social engineering and questions the actual impact these policies have on behavior.

References
  1. "Should Governments Try to Reduce Sin?" by Jeffrey Miron
    Link: https://scholar.harvard.edu/miron/publications/should-governments-try-reduce-sin

  2. "The Time Travelling Dietitian" (YouTube Video)
    Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ua-WVg1SsA

  3. "Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness" by Richard H. Thaler and Cass R. Sunstein
    Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Nudge-Improving-Decisions-Health-Happiness/dp/014311526X

  4. "The Theory of Moral Sentiments" by Adam Smith
    Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Theory-Moral-Sentiments-Adam-Smith/dp/0143105922

  5. "For Your Own Good: The Anti-Smoking Crusade and the Tyranny of Public Health" by Jacob Sullum
    Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Your-Own-Good-Anti-Smoking-Crusade/dp/0684871157

  6. "The Constitution of Liberty" by Friedrich Hayek
    Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Constitution-Liberty-Friedrich-Hayek/dp/0226320847

Thanks to our patrons including: Amy Willis, Kris Rondolo, and Christopher McDonald.
To become a patron, go to patreon.com/curioustask

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