THEORY OF TAXATION AND TAX POLICY IN OECD COUNTRIES

In the context of classical, neoclassical and Keynesian theory of economic growth, the article discusses the problem of tax structure and height. Classical economics and Kalecki argued in favour of progressive income or property taxes while neoclassical economics and Kaldor recommended consumption taxes. The results of econometric research support post-Keynesian theory of growth based on autonomic spending multiplier and Kalecki's concept of progressive taxes. The empirical analysis presented in the article suggests that tax policy in the OECD countries is related to the size of the cumulated current account balance and the amount of public debt. Four types of tax policy have been distinguished: (a) 'tax dumping' aimed at attracting FDI (Ireland and Central Europe), (b) high public and foreign debt linked with rising taxes (South Europe), (c) balanced foreign trade and rising domestic debt, combined with high direct and low indirect taxes (France, Italy), (d) 'impoverish the neighbor' policy, linked with average taxation rate (Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, Norway).