Income redistribution is one of the most important functions of modern governments. Pension systems and medical programmes are in a state of crisis in many parts of the world and the general political mood is shifting away from income redistribution. The second edition of this work brings it up to date by discussing the economic and political aspects of income redistribution. It examines the classical moral objective of redistribution to assist the poor, as well as income transfer for pensions, education and intra-family gift giving.
