The Strongest Shoulders: What History Teaches Us about (Un)equal Taxes
A fascinating historical argument for making taxes simpler and fairer
Cicero famously called taxes the ‘sinews of the state’, essential to the government’s functioning. We’ve nevertheless reached a point where hardly anyone, politicians included, understands our byzantine tax systems. Isn’t there a better way? For tax specialist Reinier Kooiman, a democratic discussion about taxes doesn’t have to be complicated. We can understand the principles behind tax law if we understand how they were invented and where they went wrong.
Non-FictionPrint
Original title
De sterkste schouders. Wat de geschiedenis ons leert over (on)eerlijke belastingen
Author
Reinier Kooiman
Year of publication
2025
Publisher
Atlas Contact
Page count
352
Contact for translation rights
Hayo Deinum
Shared Stories Rights Agency
hayo@sharedstories.nl
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The reason the book is a pleasure to read is that Kooiman builds up his book so exquisitely with historical insights.
dewereldmorgen.be
A groundbreaking book...
FD
Reinier Kooiman
Reinier Kooiman (b. 1990) is a tax specialist. He is affiliated as a lecturer and researcher to the University of Amsterdam and works for Deloitte. In 2016, he obtained his PhD on taxable events within inheritance tax. The Strongest Shoulders is his first book for a lay audience.