let us start with the definition of wealth redistribution.
I haven't found a simple math formula for it.. so we'll have to stick to words.. in English.
Redistribution of wealth is the transfer of
income,
wealth or
property from some
individuals to others caused by a social mechanism such as
taxation,
monetary policies,
welfare,
nationalization,
charity,
divorce or
tort law.[SUP]
[1][/SUP]
ok, let's break this down a bit...we'll start with the fist half of the definition.... the part that some here actively ignore.
"the transfer of income, wealth, or property from some individual to others."
do we all understand what "transfer" means?.. here, I can help with that too.
[h=2]trans·fer[/h] [v. trans-fur, trans-fer; n., adj. trans-fer] verb, trans·ferred, trans·fer·ring, noun, adjective
verb (used with object) 1.
to convey or remove from one place, person, etc., to another: He transferred the package from one hand to the other.
2.
to cause to pass from one person to another, as thought, qualities, or power; transmit.
3.Law. to make over the
possession or
control of: to transfer a title to land.
4.to imprint, impress, or otherwise convey (a drawing, design, pattern, etc.) from one surface to another.
ok..with me so far.... redistribution is the taking of something ( wealth, we'll call it) from one individual in order to give it to another... but how do we get the wealth in order to give it to someone else?... well, that's explain in the 2nd half of the defintion
the second half :
"caused by a social mechanism such as
taxation,
monetary policies,
welfare,
nationalization,
charity,
divorce or
tort law"
there, that's is how we get our hands on the wealth in order to give it to someone else.... money is taken from an individual.. through taxation, welfare, etc...then transferred to another person.
ok... that it.. simple english.
when a person argues that wealth redistribution is simply adjusting the tax rates... they are wrong.... more accurately, they are half wrong.
the got the mechanism correct, but complete ignored the "transfer from one individual to another" part.
when we speak of manipulating tax rates.. that's called.. "TAXING".. it doesn't matter if you raise of lower the rates... it's still simply a mechanism for confiscating wealth.
when we take the wealth of one person ( usually through "TAXING") and give it to another person( we call that the "TRANSFER").. that's what we call "wealth redistribution"
lowering taxes =/= wealth redistribution
raising taxes =/= wealth redistribution
in order to fit the definition of wealth redistribution.. a "TRANSFER" is necessary.... it's not optional, it's not suggested.... it is REQUIRED
sorry I wasn't able to explain this in terms of simple math.. I hope simple English suffices.